Rockville Sole Custody Attorneys

Sole Custody Lawyers Protecting Children's Best Interests in Rockville, MD

Issues related to child custody are among the most challenging and impactful matters that may be addressed in family law cases. In most cases, joint custody will be shared by parents, giving them the right to be involved in their children's lives and spend time with them on a regular basis. However, there are circumstances where sole custody may be the most appropriate option. At Salvado Law Offices, our lawyers work to help our clients address concerns related to child custody and create agreements that will protect their children's best interests. We can help determine whether sole custody may be an option, and we can advocate for solutions that will protect children's safety while providing for their well-being.

Situations Where Sole Custody May Be Awarded

Examples of cases that may warrant sole custody include:

• Parental unfitness: If one parent may potentially present a risk to children due to issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, or criminal behavior, sole custody may be awarded to the other parent. The court prioritizes children's safety and well-being, and an unfit parent may not be capable of providing a stable and nurturing environment.
• History of abuse or neglect: In cases where there is evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect, the court may grant sole custody to protect the child from harm. The safety of the child is paramount, and a history of abusive behavior can significantly influence custody decisions.
• Lack of involvement: If one parent has consistently been absent from their child's life, failing to participate in their upbringing or provide necessary support, the court may award sole custody to the more involved parent. Consistent absence or disinterest by a parent can be detrimental to the child's development and well-being.
• High levels of conflict between parents: Exposure to arguments or other forms of conflict can negatively impact a child's emotional and psychological health. In such cases, the court may determine that sole custody with one parent is in the child's best interest to minimize exposure to ongoing disputes.

Handling Sole Custody

Depending on the circumstances of a case, a court may determine that sole legal custody, sole physical custody, or both will be appropriate. Sole legal custody will give one parent the exclusive right to make decisions about issues that could affect the child's life, such as educational matters, types of medical care that will be provided, or other concerns related to how the child will be raised. The other parent may be informed of these decisions, but the parent with sole legal custody will have the authority to make choices on their own.

When one parent has sole physical custody, the child will reside primarily with that parent, who will be responsible for their daily care and upbringing. In some cases, the other parent may have visitation rights, but the parent with sole physical custody will typically be able to decide where the child will live.

Maintaining Parental Relationships With Sole Custody

Even when sole custody is awarded to one parent, it may be beneficial for the child to maintain a relationship with the other parent. Several solutions may be used to ensure that a parent and child can maintain a positive relationship:

• Supervised visitation: In cases where there are concerns about a child's safety when with a parent, visitation time with that parent may be supervised. This will allow the parent to spend time with the child with a third party present, ensuring that the child's safety and well-being will be protected.
• Therapeutic visitation: If there are significant emotional or psychological issues that affect a parent/child relationship, visitation with the involvement of a mental health professional may be ordered. The parent and child may attend joint counseling sessions, or visitation time may be structured to help build positive relationships and address any underlying issues.
• Communication plans: The child may be able to communicate with a parent regularly through phone calls, video chats, letters, online messages, or other formats. This can the parent and child maintain a positive relationship, even if they do not have in-person visits.
• Scheduled visitation: The court may establish a structured visitation schedule that outlines specific times and conditions under which a parent can spend time with the child. This may be an option if a parent lives in another state, and it may allow the child to visit that parent during school vacations or specific times of the year. This can help maintain consistency and predictability for the child while fostering an ongoing relationship with their parent.
  

Contact Our Rockville, MD Sole Custody Lawyers

While sole custody will typically only be used if there are concerns that joint custody would not be beneficial for children, there are some situations where it may be appropriate. If you want to know more about your options for seeking sole custody, the family law attorneys at Salvado Law Offices can help you understand how the law will apply in your situation. We will work to find solutions that will provide for your children's best interests. Contact us at 301-933-1814 to arrange a consultation and get the legal help you need during your child custody case. In addition to assisting with Maryland family law cases, we also represent clients in Virginia from our office in Falls Church.