White Marsh, MD Child Custody Lawyers

Empathetic Custody Lawyers Representing Clients in White Marsh, Maryland

When questions arise over child custody, the courts of family law may have to get involved in order to resolve any potential disputes. No two custody cases are the same, as the court must factor in the fitness of the parents as well as the child's wants and needs. If you are unsure of your rights as a parent, a White Marsh, MD custody attorney can provide you with legal guidance and representation.

With an attorney at your side, you can work toward a healthy, sustainable resolution to a custody dispute. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our lawyers are ready to stand up for you and advocate for your child's needs.

Legal Custody

Getting legal custody over your child allows you to make important life decisions on their behalf, usually concerning school, healthcare, religious upbringing, and participation in other activities.

In a divorce, legal custody can be shared between the parents or given solely to one parent. If you and your co-parent have both been involved in your child's life, joint legal custody may be more appropriate. On the other hand, if your co-parent has been absent or uninterested in making decisions, you could make a case for sole legal custody. In any case, the courts will rule based on what is best for the child.

Shared legal custody can be divided in a way that makes the most sense for you and your co-parent. For instance, you might agree to cover your child's health insurance while your spouse makes decisions related to school. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can help you negotiate for a practical legal custody arrangement.

Physical Custody and Visitation

Physical custody refers to the right of a parent to take care of their child and spend time with them. This is especially important, as it will decide where the child will live on a daily basis.

When making a decision about physical custody, the judge will consider several different factors, such as the distance between the parents' residences, the child's attachment to their community, and more. A 50/50 split of physical custody may entail equal parenting time, with the child switching homes on alternating weeks.

In other cases, the child may live primarily with one parent while still seeing the other parent on a regular basis, known as visitation. In some cases, the court may only allow supervised visitation for non-custodial parents with a history of abuse, neglect, or other harmful behaviors. Our custody attorneys can petition for a fair split of custody that puts your child's needs first.

The Child's Best Interests

In a court of family law, you are likely to hear much talk about your child's "best interests." This is not just a general principle—it has a legal definition, with specific guidelines that the court must respect. When determining the child's best interests, the court may consider:

• Each parent's character and reputation
• The financial resources available to each parent
• The child's own preferences factoring in their age and maturity
• The physical and mental health of each parent
• How close the parents live to each other
• Whether the child has any special needs

All of these factors and more can play a role in a custody order. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can argue for the best interests of your child while also protecting your rights as a parent.

Speak With a White Marsh, Maryland Child Custody Lawyer Today

If you have any concerns about parenting time or decision-making authority over your child, our White Marsh custody attorneys can help. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our attorneys are skilled in negotiation and litigation, allowing us to effectively argue for your rights. Call us at 410-760-9433 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.