Columbia, Maryland Child Custody Lawyer

Compassionate Attorneys Helping Resolve Child Custody Issues in Columbia, MD

The question of child custody often hangs heavy over the heads of parents who are going through a divorce. A simple disagreement about parenting time can spark a heated debate that could potentially drag out the legal proceedings in court. If you are filing for divorce with children, or if you are an unmarried parent who needs to put child custody arrangements in place, a Columbia family law attorney can help you work towards a resolution that will meet your needs and provide for your child's welfare.

At Salvado Law Offices, our lawyers have the resources and legal knowledge to advocate for a healthy custody agreement on your behalf. When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that will do everything we can to help keep your child in a stable place.

Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to the allocation of parenting time and visitation. In a joint custody agreement, both parents might have a 50-50 split of custody, alternating on weekends or another day of their choosing, or other arrangements may be made to ensure that children will spend time with both parents on a regular basis.

A judge's decision about physical custody will be made with the child's best interests in mind. The geographic location of each parent's home may play a large role in custody decisions, considering the child's distance to their school and how involved they are in their community. If the marital home has sentimental value to the child, the judge might allow one parent to stay in the home while the other moves out.

Maryland does not give special preference to fathers or mothers in physical custody cases. Both parents have a right to spend time with their child unless permitting visitation would be seriously damaging to the child's welfare. A parent might be denied rights to physical custody due to a history of violence, substance abuse, or high levels of conflict with the other parent. Ideally, physical custody arrangements will ensure that a child can maintain good relationships with both parents.

Legal Custody

The right of a parent to make important decisions for their child is known as legal custody. Typically, this includes decisions about religion, schooling, healthcare, and discipline. In a joint custody agreement, parents can choose to share these responsibilities so that they both have some say about their child's upbringing.

During a divorce with children, the court will require parents to draft a parenting plan that lays out both legal and physical custody. This parenting plan can also address how disputes will be resolved in the future and how the parents will communicate after the divorce. Our family law attorneys can help you draft a comprehensive parenting plan for a judge's approval.

How Is Child Custody Settled in Maryland?

Before a custody dispute goes to court, a judge will often order a divorcing couple to attend mediation. During mediation, the parents will sit down together in a neutral setting in an attempt to reach a resolution to all outstanding issues related to their children. During meetings, a third-party mediator will keep the peace and help the couple compromise on certain issues, working to reach an agreed settlement.

In general, mediation is much cheaper than going to court. However, a mediator does not have the final authority to make any rulings. If negotiations fall through, the custody dispute will go back to the court. The judge may appoint a special representative known as a guardian ad litem (GAL) to understand the child's best interests and make recommendations about how child custody should be handled going forward.

At Salvado Law Offices, we can represent you in mediation and courtroom litigation. We will advocate for a solution that serves your child's needs while respecting your rights as a parent.

Meet With a Supportive Columbia Child Custody Attorney

Navigating a divorce with children is no easy feat. Salvado Law Offices has over 25 years of experience handling delicate family law issues. We provide compassionate legal services for clients in Columbia and beyond. To schedule an initial consultation, call our offices at 301-933-1814 or contact us online.