Going through a divorce is hard enough, but if you can’t decide on child custody together, the court must intervene. The ensuing custody battle is decided by the court about how to split up the children’s custody after the divorce is finalized.
Here’s all you need to know about the different types of court-ordered custody agreements:
Custody in Maryland law
According to Maryland law, both the parents of the child are considered as the natural custodians. Hence, neither the mother nor the father is favored over one another. The court looks at the child’s best interests to determine who gains custody, and either of the separated parents can petition for modifications for the custody of their child in Maryland’s court.
Emergency custody
A parent can request temporary relief under an emergency condition if they believe there is the looming risk of immediate and substantial harm to them or their minor child. This is a temporary order that can vary in different Circuit Courts, and the parent will need to continue with their case until there’s permanent relief.
Joint custody
Joint custody can be further broken down into three separate categories:
- Joint legal custody: means that both the parents have equal control over their children’s upbringing, even if they’re living in only one residence. Some hybrid versions may allow for a “tie-breaking” authority over certain areas.
- Shared physical custody: means that the children have two residences where they spend at least 35% of the time with each of their parents.
- Combination: is a combination of both, as seen fit by the court.
Sole custody
The court can award physical or legal custody, or both, to a single parent if they deem the other one unfit to take care of minor children. This may be because of a lack of financial means to support a dependent or a history of physical, emotional, or drug abuse.
Looking for an experienced child custody attorney in Baltimore County?
Different child custody agreements can be difficult to navigate, especially with the number of strict requirements and conditions attached. Hiring an experienced child custody lawyer can help you understand child custody and divorce laws.
Lincoln Law Group’s compassionate family lawyer in Silver Spring and Baltimore can help you create the best case for your children’s custody. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call us. We also have experienced tax lawyers, immigration lawyers, criminal defense lawyers, and personal injury lawyers to help you with almost every type of legal work.