Gaithersburg Child Custody Attorney

Supportive Child Custody Lawyers Helping Parents in Gaithersburg, MD

Divorce on its own is challenging enough, but a divorce with children can be an immense hurdle for families to overcome. When parents split up, complicated questions of child custody can arise, and spouses may disagree about how to handle important decisions with the child caught in the middle. A family law attorney can mediate these conflicts surrounding physical and legal custody, facilitating a resolution that prioritizes the family's best interests and the child's welfare. The Gaithersburg child custody lawyers at Salvado Law Offices have years of experience providing skilled representation for parents, lending compassionate legal counsel to every client who walks in our doors.

Disagreements About Custody in Divorce

It is natural that parents might have different ideas about what is best for their children. Common sources of friction include:

• Parenting time: One parent may desire more time with a child then the other is willing to give up, resulting in a dispute over the visitation schedule.
• Child support: Figuring out a fair arrangement for paying child support can be challenging, especially if the parents are at different income levels.
• Decision making: Determining who the child should live with is not an easy task, as well as who should exert control over the child's education, healthcare, and other decisions.
• Relocation: A parent looking to seize a new opportunity far from home may seek to take a child with, which raises complicated questions about how long-distance parenting should be handled, or if a move is appropriate at all.

The lawyers at Salvado Law Offices can help spouses resolve these issues in and outside of court, making sure that your rights as a parent are respected while ultimately acting in your child's best interests. We are ready to hear your circumstances and move in a direction that respects your needs.

What Custody Entails

When the word "custody" comes up, you might only think of it in terms of who your child stays with. However, that only refers to physical custody: parents must also consider legal custody, which covers the responsibility of making important decisions for the child such as schooling or religious practice. Oftentimes, parents will share this responsibility in joint custody, where each parent is given authority over certain areas. In sole custody arrangements, one parent may have exclusive decision-making power for the child's welfare, but the other parent is still entitled to see the child on a regular basis. All these issues are covered in a legal document referred to as a parenting agreement, ensuring that there is a plan in place after the divorce.

Keep in mind, however, it is not the parents who have final say about custody. A judge in Maryland will ultimately rule in favor of the child's best interests, which may contradict the desires of one or both parents. For instance, a parent who wants physical custody of his or her child could be denied if the court suspects the parent cannot foster a safe environment. Similarly, a parent who has a history of abusing the child or convicted of certain crimes may be deemed unfit to parent. In these outlying cases, a judge may only permit supervised visitation for a parent.

Meet with a Child Custody Lawyer in Gaithersburg, MD Today

Though parents may quarrel in a divorce, they are often joined by a common interest in protecting the child's best interests. At Salvado Law Offices, our attorneys provide compassionate representation and counsel to families going through a child custody dispute. We recognize the importance of the bond between parents and their children, and we will advocate for a solution that keeps the family stable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Gaithersburg lawyers.