Child Custody Attorneys in Baltimore, MD
Caring Legal Support During a Difficult Transition for Your Family
Divorce is never an easy decision, and when children are involved, divorce can feel especially tricky and emotionally heavy for all parties. While you are confident in your decision to separate, you want to be sure that the divorce also has the best outcome for you, your family, and your children.
Saller Law family lawyers in Baltimore offer child custody representation to help you make the right decision, know your rights, explain the rights of your children, and make a legal agreement between you and your spouse.
Do not go through your divorce alone. Whether amicable or tense, a child custody lawyer in Baltimore can help you come to a decision, create the legal child custody agreement, and help everyone be on the same page moving forward. We help make this transition easier with clear expectations and support.
Call today for a consult with our child custody attorneys in Baltimore.
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Child Custody Attorneys at Saller Law:
Meet Lillian V. McElroy
Lillian V. McElroy brings family law experience to the law offices of Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy. Lillian has a focus on family law, helping clients during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
She can assist families with Maryland divorce law, child custody, alimony, pre or post nuptial agreements, and more. When you’re facing difficult decisions, tense conversations, and unknown rights for you and your family, we are here for you. Get answers, support, and advice on the best outcome for all involved.
Types of Child Custody in Maryland
When you are deciding on child custody agreements during a divorce, it is important to understand your legal options under Maryland law.
When discussing legal custody and physical custody, you and your spouse or a judge may decide to split custody several ways. You want to be aware of all of your options so you can best know how to come to a legal child custody agreement in Maryland that can be upheld under the law and works for all parties in the best interest of the child.
There are two types of child custody in Maryland
Legal Custody: Legal custody is the right to make long-term decisions about a child’s care, including education, religion, health, discipline, and other matters related to the welfare of the child.
Physical Custody: Physical custody, sometimes referred to as “parenting time”, is time spent with the child and making day-to-day decisions; this is often who the child primarily lives with.
How You May Determine Child Custody in Maryland
Sole Custody: refers to one parent having both legal custody and physical custody of the child
Joint Legal Custody: is an agreement where both parents can make legal decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, even if the child resides primarily with one parent; parents can further define what areas each has a final say in or divide decisions however they see fit
Shared Physical Custody: is when the child lives with both parents, spending at least 35% of their time residing with each parent
Split Custody: is used in families of two or more children, where one parent has sole custody of some children and the other parent has sole custody over the remaining children; this is not a preferred custody agreement by the courts of Maryland
Deciding on a Custody Agreement in Maryland
Best Interests of the Child and Determining Custody in Baltimore County
A final custody agreement will be determined based on what is in the best interest of the child, focusing on allowing the child to maintain a relationship with both parents when possible.
Many factors are considered when creating a custody agreement, such as who is the primary caregiver, what is the child’s preferred living arrangement, support systems for the child, and other factors.
Child custody lawyers can help you gather information needed to present a strong and stable child custody case that addresses the primary factors Baltimore courts consider.
Factors in a Child Custody Case in Baltimore
- Who is the current primary caregiver of the child
- What is the child’s current relationship with each parent
- Have there been any accusations of spousal or child abuse
- Does the child have a preference for their primary caregiver
- What is the age and maturity level of the child
- What is each parent’s reputation, character, mental state, financial status, and physical health
- What parent is better able to support the child’s familial relationships and social connections
- Where does each parent reside in relation to the child’s school, activities, hobbies, and social circle
- What are the religious beliefs of the parent in relation to the child’s beliefs
- What is the daily life of each parent
- How much time will the child be separated from each parent
- What current custody agreements have the parents come to
Child Custody Modifications in Baltimore
After a child custody agreement has been made by the courts, circumstances may arise that dictate a needed change to the agreement. This may be due to relocation, a child’s development, family shifts, or other circumstances.
To pursue a child custody modification in Baltimore, all parties must return to the court. When seeking a change to a child custody agreement, it is on the party seeking the change to provide proof as to why the change is in the best interest of the child and a needed modification.
Child custody lawyers at Saller Law can help you form your argument, navigate the court system, and outline the facts of the change in these situations.
Trust Saller Law to Be Your Child Custody Attorney in Baltimore
It may never feel easy navigating a separation or divorce, but Saller Law child custody attorneys are here to help make the process a little simpler. With caring support, clear legal advice, and working in the best interest of the child, you can receive representation you can trust.
Family lawyers at Saller Law are here for you. Call today to begin your consult call and feel confident moving forward.
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