Pursuing custody of a child is a rather emotional and involved legal process. With various procedures to follow and a number of different "hoops" to jump through, failure to file the proper documentation and/or lack of adherence to local court rules could result in...
Custody
What is the Maryland Child Abduction Prevention Act?
While JC Law provided extensive coverage on the changes to Maryland divorce that went into effect on October 1st, 2023, that isn’t the only new legislation impacting the practice of family law in the state. Another law—known as the Maryland Child Abduction Prevention...
When can I sign an Affidavit of Parentage?
For a Maryland court to award you custody of your child, the state must recognize you as the legal father of your son or daughter. This may not be a problem if you and your spouse were in a marital union during the birth of your child. Otherwise, you may need to sign...
Co-Parenting During Divorce
How is child custody determined? Parents may work together to determine custody of their children. This is generally done before the divorce is final. That determination may also be made by a judge in a court of law during divorce proceedings. The best interests of...
Legal Guardianship in Maryland: FAQs
What is a Legal Guardian? A legal guardian refers to a person who has been named by a court or other similar governing body to care for another person. The person who is entrusted to the guardian’s care may also sometimes be referred to as a ward. Guardians could be...
Custody Not Guaranteed – Understanding Maryland Mothers’ and Fathers’ Legal Standing
RE: This blog post has been re-posted and updated from its original publishing date, Dec 29, 2020. Motherhood does not guarantee child custody. On the other hand, proving that you are a great parent or guardian will. Put it simply: You deserve the right to see your...
Can Parents Kidnap Their Children? – A Guide to Custody and Parental Kidnapping
There are many instances where different fields of law intersect with each other. At the cross-section of family and criminal law is parental kidnapping: when one parent violates a custody agreement and takes their child without the other parent’s consent. Parental...
What Happens If An Ex No-Shows A Custody Hearing? Lawyer Says…
This week on Lawyer Says, our family law department addresses a Maryland man who thinks his fiancée’s ex won’t show up for their scheduled custody hearing, and what could happen if that’s the case. The Question: What happens if an ex no-shows a custody hearing? So my fiancée is looking to get full custody of her child, due to the father…
What is Full Custody? – The Grounds to Gain Sole Custody of Your Child
When it comes to custody, who serves the child’s best interest determines who retains custodial rights and caretaking decisions. Parenting is not for everyone, and sometimes one parent is better off raising the kids. Maryland courts look to keep family relationships intact, but there are times when one parent should pursue full custody. Learn about: Full custody, what does it…
How Do Maryland Judge’s Determine Child Custody? – Best Interest Standard
When custody matters head to court, a judge will determine the final order. These are the specifics on how they make those decisions: Several factors come into consideration by judges in custody disputes, composing a “best interest” standard. Whether Mom or Dad, custody goes to who provides those “best interests.” Maryland does give children a voice, but it depends on…