Montgomery County Child Custody
Child custody issues are some of the most complex to deal with during a divorce or separation. But you should not be worried about that when you hire an experienced child custody attorney.
What is Child Custody?
Child custody is a legal term that describes a parent’s right to make long-term plans and decisions for a child. These decisions could pertain to education, religious training, discipline, non-emergency medical care, etc.
What Does a Montgomery County Child Custody Attorney Do?
A child custody attorney serving Montgomery County, MD, can help you understand complex custody laws, especially those that apply to your particular case. This is because these attorneys usually have intensive training in family law matters and know how to navigate complex processes. When you have a better understanding of how custody laws work in this county, it becomes much easier to fight for your custodial rights as a parent.
When it comes to child custody cases, every detail counts. Missing a crucial detail could influence how much you will receive or pay as support. But that is not the only thing you should be concerned about – there are crucial deadlines that should be met, important paperwork to fill out, fees to pay, etc. In addition, when dealing with a divorce or separation, you will likely not be in the best place emotionally and sometimes mentally.
It is even worse when dealing with an abusive partner or one who simply refuses to cooperate. And if they have an attorney, the whole situation can easily take a dramatic twist. The last thing you want is to represent yourself against someone who has an attorney fighting for them. That will not be a fair game.
The other party might decide to manipulate you emotionally. They will do that knowing how much you are attached to your kids. We have handled many family law cases where the children are the only thing that connects the parents. As a result, some parents use children as a tool to settle their scores with their former spouses. Situations like these can ruin your mental peace.
In fact, some parents lose their will to fight even harder because of the emotional turmoil they have gone through while trying to secure custody of their children. But with an experienced child custody attorney, such battles can be won even without a fight.
This is because child custody attorneys know how to handle these kinds of cases and deal with different situations as they arise. They know when to fight and when to negotiate.
When a child custody issue goes to court, the judge usually considers the child’s best interests and a parent’s suitability to ensure that these interests are met. Therefore, an experienced attorney can help convince the court that you deserve custody for various reasons. This also applies if the other parent is unfit to maintain custody – a seasoned attorney understands how the law works in these situations.
Important Child Custody Laws in Montgomery County You Should Know About
In Montgomery County, the court can award a parent legal custody or residential custody of a child. Legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make major decisions about the child. On the other hand, residential custody decides which parent lives with the child on a regular basis.
In certain situations, the court might award both residential and legal custody to a parent. This means that the child will predominantly live with that particular parent, and the parent will also make major decisions about the child.
Located in downtown Rockville, Maryland, the Circuit Court in Montgomery County handles family law issues, including those involving child custody.
The court allows parents to devise a reasonable custodial arrangement as long as it serves the child’s best interests. Where such an agreement is provided, and as long as it serves the child’s best interests, it will take precedence over state laws regarding custody. Conversely, failure to present such an agreement will prompt the court to step in and decide custody.
If the court steps in to decide child custody, the judge will prioritize the child’s best interests. In other words, it would not matter if one parent feels entitled to custody. If their reason does not align with the child’s best interests, the judge will likely not award them custody of the child.
This is just an overview of basic child custody rules in Maryland. In order to understand your options and how the law applies to your specific situation, consult a child custody attorney.
Child Custody Process in Montgomery County Explained
The parent seeking child custody in Montgomery County must follow certain procedures for the court to consider such a request.
The process begins by filing a family case, such as a petition for custody of a child, usually with the help of a child custody lawyer. Then, the court serves the other parent with a copy of the petition filed in court.
The served parent then answers the petition (also known as a Complaint) by filling out the Answer document. It is important to note that the Answer is time-sensitive. The parent responding to the petition must ensure that the answer document is filed before the specified deadline.
Suppose the parent fails to respond by the deadline. In that case, the court will assume that they have agreed to the terms of the petition. For this reason, the court will award custody to the parent who filed the petition.
On the other hand, if the parent responds to the petition, the court will set up a hearing date, which will be communicated to both parties. As a result, the petition for child custody is considered a contested petition, meaning the parents do not have an agreement on custodial matters. Therefore, the court will listen to both sides and decide what is best for the child.
Joint Custody and Shared Parenting Explained
The terms joint and shared parenting are often used interchangeably. However, these two terms have different meanings in the legal sphere, as explained below.
Joint custody refers to a situation where both parents can make decisions about the child’s welfare and overall upbringing. In other words, it allows both parents to discuss what is best for the child regarding education, religion, healthcare, and other important factors in their lives.
Shared parenting refers to how the parents decide to share their time with the children. For example, the parents could agree on a 50-50 shared parenting plan, meaning each parent gets to share an equal amount of time with their child.
Do You Have to Pay Child Support if You Have Joint Custody in Montgomery County?
In Montgomery County and throughout Maryland, child support is determined by a mathematical calculation. Therefore, having joint custody does not necessarily mean that a particular parent is exempt from paying child support.
When determining child support, the state considers factors such as the physical custody of the child(ren), parent’s gross income, cost of the child(ren) ‘s health insurance, extraordinary medical costs, daycare, etc.
How a Child Custody Attorney From Divorce With a Plan Can Help You
At Divorce With a Plan, our team of family law attorneys is dedicated to providing comprehensive assistance in child custody matters.
Our skilled child custody attorneys are here to guide you. We understand the intricate nature and overwhelming challenges often associated with these cases. The situation becomes even more daunting when a comprehensive strategy is lacking.
When you’re at a point of frustration, having an attorney who prioritizes your child’s best interests becomes crucial. This principle lies at the core of our legal practice. Our commitment goes beyond the legal realm – we strive to maintain the unity of your family throughout the child custody process.
Our approach differs from attorneys who engage in unnecessary battles for procedural purposes. We prioritize meaningful resolutions over transactional negotiations that swiftly conclude cases. At Divorce With a Plan, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to finding sensible solutions for the challenges faced by families in Montgomery County and beyond.
Our ability to discern when to advocate and when to negotiate ensures a balanced approach.
Contact Divorce With a Plan
If you’re facing a child custody dispute and are seeking guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our experienced team is here to provide you with the support you need during this challenging time. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards securing a positive future for your family.
If you live in Montgomery County, MD, and are looking for a seasoned child custody lawyer, Divorce With a Plan is a phone call away. Contact us here or email us at info@josephialaw.com to schedule a consultation.
We serve clients throughout Montgomery County, including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Germantown, Potomac, Olney, Takoma Park, Clarksburg, Chevy Chase, Kensington, and the surrounding areas.
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