Pursuing Positive Outcomes for Parents and Their Children
For many people going through a divorce, determining what will happen to the children is the most crucial issue. If you and your spouse do not see eye to eye on child custody, it is important to be represented by an experienced and compassionate lawyer.
At the law firm of Trainor, Billman, Bennett & Milko LLP, our Annapolis child custody attorneys help parents protect their relationships with their children. We offer insightful, attentive counsel and representation to clients throughout the Annapolis region and the Eastern Shore.
Putting a Workable Child Custody Plan in Place
Under Maryland law, when a couple with children gets divorced, the future care and support of the children must be determined through a child custody plan. This plan can be arrived at through negotiation, mediation or litigation, and it must address the following issues:
- Residential custody: Also known as physical custody, this is what most people think of custody: Where the child will live. In Maryland, one parent typically gets primary custody, while the other parent's visitation rights may be relatively limited or more extensive.
- Legal custody: This is the authority to participate in important decisions over a child's health, education and welfare. In most cases in Maryland, both parents are entitled to equal legal custody rights — even if one parent has primary residential custody.
For many of our clients, the prospect of compromising over child custody issues is a difficult one. However, in the long run, children generally benefit from having strong relationships with both of their parents, and the parents can benefit from each other's help with parenting as well.
However, there are cases where one parent is clearly unfit or making unreasonable demands. Our team of trial lawyers is fully prepared to take custody cases to court when necessary.
Call Our Experienced Maryland Divorce Attorneys at 410-280-1700
Our offices are located in downtown Annapolis, just steps from the courthouse, with readily accessible parking. To discuss your child custody goals and options with an experienced family law attorney, call us at 410-280-1700 or e-mail us to schedule a consultation.
