child custody

Family isn’t always simple. Sometimes, it’s downright complicated. And when parents aren’t able–or willing–to care for their children, grandparents often step in. But what happens when that temporary care needs to become something more permanent? Can grandparents in Maryland actually seek custody of their grandchildren? The short answer: yes, but it’s not easy. In Maryland,…

Divorce is rarely easy. And when children are involved, the emotional stakes only get higher. It’s not unusual for parents to wonder: “Can my child decide which parent they want to live with?” The short answer in Maryland? Maybe. But it’s a lot more complicated than just asking the child and granting their wish. Courts…

Maryland law provides fathers equal rights when it comes to child custody. However, many fathers who go through the process may not feel like this is the case. The truth is, having legal rights isn’t enough on its own. Fathers need to assert those rights. And they need to do so effectively, which means having…

Custody evaluations help courts make informed decisions regarding child custody arrangements. In Maryland, like many other states, custody evaluations are employed to assess the best interests of the child and determine the most suitable custodial arrangement. Custody evaluations in Maryland serve one important purpose – to determine the best interests of the child involved in…

According to CBS News, actress Sharon Stone stated on a recent podcast that she lost custody of her son in 2004. However, many people are blown away by the reason, which was partially because of a brief, one-second scene in a movie. This made headlines across the country, and many parents began wondering if it…

While it might seem absurd to think that a person may be required to pay child support for a child who isn’t biologically theirs, this type of situation happens more often than people imagine. Whether a DNA test was wrong, a child was born to a married couple, or a father genuinely believed that a…

Although Maryland has established de facto parenting as a method to ensure that your relationship can be maintained with your children without adopting them, it is critical that parents follow through with a second parent adoption. When the court orders an adoption, all legal rights and responsibilities of the natural parents are terminated according to…

No one wants to lose custody of their child. It is often seen as a sign of being a bad parent, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, allowing the other parent to have custody over them is what is what your child needs. As parents, we can work hard to provide our children…

When you make the decision to separate, it can be difficult to navigate the process of child custody, especially if one party is avoiding making the necessary decisions; or perhaps, a busy schedule makes it difficult for you to sit down and get the paperwork in order. It seems that celebrity and “Ted Lasso” star…

One of the more challenging parts of the divorce process is the decision of child custody. Both parents generally want to spend as much time as possible with their child, or children, and the court takes a number of factors into consideration when making their determination on parenting time. In extreme cases, one parent may…

Are you trying to get more parenting or visitation time with your child? It is important to be proactive – whether you are just talking about divorce, in the middle of a custody dispute, or if you feel you are ready for increased time with your child. All custody and visitation cases are unique, but…

Most parents want what’s best for their children. That includes growing up in a stable environment with adults around them who will be good influences in their lives. Anything that feels unsafe can cause any caring parent to be flooded with fear and anxiety. What if you had no control over protecting your child from…

How many times have you heard your child’s other parent claim he or she is sober, but you’ve seen the same signs of being under the influence so many times that you know it’s a lie? You have concerns about your child being around that parent but your fears have fallen on deaf ears so…

Being a primary caretaker of a child is hard work. Being the only caretaker is harder. Single parents – no matter their station in life – carry a unique burden when it comes to raising children. A parent who has been uninvolved in your child’s life, even to the extent of being completely missing for…

Coparenting has its challenges, even when a divorce is amicable and the parenting plan is just. One of the more common challenges relates to parental relocation: what do you need to do if you or your spouse must move? Under typical circumstances, if a parent wishes to move, that parent must provide written notice within…

One of the most common questions we hear from our clients during divorces is, “Do my children have a choice about which parent they want to live with?” Maryland has a number of different guidelines regarding children’s involvement in custody proceedings. The older the child, the more valuable their input – but, as in any…

Frequently, when two parents head to court over issues related to their children, it often boils down to someone wanting more visitation, or a complete change in custody. Allegations of all sorts can begin to fly when the gloves come off, including drug and alcohol abuse. This can be a game changer when it comes…

Sharing custody of your child can be a challenge under any circumstance. Meshing schedules together and ensuring the best interests of your kids during a national pandemic can seem almost impossible, even when you and the other parent have a strong relationship. With school and business closings, stay-at-home orders in place, and unemployment on the…

When you and your child’s other parent are divorcing, or just going through a child custody battle, unless a court order specifies otherwise, you both have legal rights to your child. However, when there has been a court order entered determining custody and visitation rights, taking your child out of state, out of the country,…

Determining child custody can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Most parents have a basic idea of the different types of custody that are available in a Maryland divorce, but do you understand the difference between legal and physical custody, and how co-parents handle decision-making based on these distinctions? At McCabe Russell,…