Rockville, MD Custody Lawyers
Rockville, MD Custody Lawyers
For any parent, the most challenging part of divorce is arranging child custody. You want to do what’s best for your child, which often means allowing them the stability of having both parents, but you don’t want to compromise your own happiness or risk missing out on the important milestones in their lives.
When you work with our compassionate Rockville custody lawyers at Z Family Law, we will advocate for the best interest of your child while helping you create the ideal model for your new family lifestyle and dynamic. We know that you want to prioritize the health and happiness of your children, and we will fight for it as if we are fighting for our own family.
Although we’re a law firm, legal assistance is not all we do. We know that single parenthood means juggling all kinds of responsibilities, sometimes leaving you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, alone, and maybe even helpless. That’s where our Client Care team steps in to provide the support and resources you need to navigate the non-legal aspects of family reorganization through our concierge-style referral network - connecting you to trusted local service partners so you can focus your time and energy on what’s most important: your child(ren).
Reach out to schedule an initial case assessment and learn how we can help you and your children turn the page to the new chapter of your lives.
Child Custody Arrangements In Maryland
There are several ways that child custody can be arranged. The parent who has legal custody of the child has the right to make decisions on their behalf, such as where they go to school, what religion they will practice, what their healthcare will entail, what activities they will do on a daily basis, and so on.
Physical custody, on the other hand, refers to the parent with whom the child is living and spending time. These types of custody can be broken down in several ways that include but are not limited to:
- Sole custody: Sole custody, despite popular belief, is relatively rare. When one parent has sole custody, they live with one parent 100% of the time and never see their other parent under any circumstances. In certain cases, sole custody is absolutely necessary to keep a child safe, but for the most part, judges tend to prioritize a child maintaining relationships with both parents, even if supervised visitation is required to accomplish that.
- Joint custody: When parents share joint custody, they both have some level of legal and/or physical custody of the child. Depending on the specific circumstances of each parent, joint custody can shake out in many different ways, though sometimes custody is perfectly split 50/50.
Joint physical custody is often considered the ideal custody arrangement for children, as it provides them with a stronger sense of security and allows them to maintain deep relationships with both parents, but there are also drawbacks, including difficulty transitioning between homes. Joint legal custody may be challenging for parents who can’t see eye to eye.
When you work with our Rockville custody lawyers, we will help you figure out a custody arrangement that works for your family, because at the end of the day, we want both you and your children to thrive. You can rely on our team to help you make rational, well-guided decisions to reorganize your family.
How Is Child Custody Decided?
When deciding child custody, a judge always endeavors to make decisions that are in the best interest of the child. “Best interest” will look different for each child, though it’s generally accepted that having access to both parents is best for healthy childhood development. Unless there is some compelling reason why this should not be the case, such as if one parent is abusive, the court will generally favor a joint arrangement of some kind.
When deciding how custody should be awarded, there are several factors that the court will consider. Some of these factors include:
- Which parent has the stronger relationship with the child?
- Which parent has more time to devote to the child?
- Which parent can provide a more stable routine for the child?
- Which parent is more mentally and physically able to care for the child?
And more! Z Family Law will work with you to build a strategic argument in favor of the custody arrangement that best suits you and your kids.
The Rockville Custody Lawyers At Z Family Law Have Your Back As You Create Your New Beginning!
When you work with us, we prioritize your custody goals, whether you are seeking child support, looking for a particular custody arrangement, want to move states with your child(ren), or need to file for emergency custody. Reach out to schedule a case evaluation, and we will help you build a strategy for your unique family matter. By combining our vast legal experience, our tenured team will help you build the new beginning you deserve!