Child Custody & Visitation

Maryland Child Custody Lawyer

Custody disputes are emotional and stressful. We understand this and we do our best to ease the strain. A custody agreement or order allots physical time with the children and entitles parents to raise their children in the manner they think best. To speak with a supportive and professional Maryland child custody lawyer, contact Alston Parker, LLC. We provide a free initial consultation.

The court will determine a custody order based on the best interest of the children. The different types of custody are:

Legal Custody - the right to make decisions about the child, including what school the child should go to, what religion to practice, and any decision relating to the raising of the child. You can have a court order for joint legal custody which would require both parents to make decisions together or sole legal custody which would give one person the right to make the decisions alone.

Physical Custody - This is the physical placement of the child. It is where the child actually sleeps at night. A physical custody order can be for joint or sole custody.

Joint Legal and Joint Physical Custody involves parents sharing child rearing and the physical custody of the child. Both parents have a right to spend time with the child, determine religion, and upbringing, and each may review childs education and medical records.

Visitation Rights - the non-custodial parent has a right to visitation with his or her child. Even if that person does not have physical custody. Contact us if you have questions about Maryland law on grandparents visitation rights, or parental, mother's or father's visitation rights.

Best Interest of the Child

The standard used to determine which parent receives custody is the best interest of the child. Factors included in the assessment are which parent is likely to facilitate a relationship with other parent, which parent is the primary care-giver, and the roles the parents play in the child's life.

If you are currently involved in a custody battle or you are seeking sole custody of your child, contact Alston Parker to speak with a dedicated and knowledgeable family law attorney.

Alston Law Office, LLC represents clients in Annapolis, Upper Marlboro, Andrews Air Force Base, Bethesda, Clinton, College Park, Columbia, Fort Meade, Fort Washington, Greenbelt, Largo, Laurel, Mitchellville, Rockville, and counties including, Ann Arundel County, Charles County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and St. Mary's County