Cambridge Child Custody Lawyers

Knowledgeable Custody Lawyers Supporting Parents in Cambridge, Maryland

When parents split up, disputes about child custody can become contentious. In a court of family law, you will have to make a strong argument about your child's best interests on issues you may not see eye-to-eye on with your co-parent. A Cambridge, MD child custody attorney can represent you in and outside of court, making sure your concerns are heard.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we serve as tireless advocates for parents across the state of Maryland. As true counselors of the law with decades of experience, our attorneys can advise you of your options during your child custody case and inform you of your rights.

What Is Physical Custody?

In Maryland, the right to take care of your child and see them on a regular basis is referred to as physical custody. Securing physical custody is important, as it allows you to be present in your child's life whether you live with them or not.

Family law courts in Maryland do not show any special preference to mothers or fathers when awarding physical custody rights. Instead, the courts will consider whether or not the parent is equipped to take care of the child and if they can provide a safe residence for the child.

The courts can be very flexible when dividing up physical custody. 50/50 joint custody splits are not uncommon, but depending on the parents' circumstances, one parent might have more parenting time than the other. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our attorneys can advocate for a physical custody arrangement that lets you spend quality time with your child.

What Is Legal Custody?

Children cannot be expected to make important life decisions on their own. The purpose of legal custody is to decide which of the parents should get to make those decisions on the child's behalf. An arrangement of legal custody typically includes provisions for the child's education, medical care, religious upbringing, extracurricular activities, and discipline.

Like physical custody, the responsibilities of legal custody can be divided up between the parents. For instance, one parent might have sole authority over school decisions while the other parent covers all healthcare-related concerns. A parent could also be awarded sole rights to legal custody if the other parent has been proven to be irresponsible.

If you cannot reach an agreement about legal custody outside of court, you may have to resolve the dispute in a court of family law. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can help you build a case for your right to legal custody, providing you with legal advice and steadfast representation.

Understanding the Child's Best Interests

In Maryland, child custody matters revolve around the child's best interests. This is a legal standard that the courts will adhere to in all child custody cases. When determining what is or is not in the child's best interests, a judge may consider multiple factors, such as:

• Whether one or both parents have acted as a caregiver for the child
• The level of conflict between the parents, and their willingness to support each other's relationship with the child
• The child's age, health, and gender
• Any past findings of domestic violence by either parent
• The child's unique needs
• The child's preference
• The distance between each parent's residence

Our lawyers can review your family situation closely so that we can advocate for your parental fitness. We can gather evidence that shows the strength of your relationship with your child.

Meet With a Cambridge, Maryland Child Custody Lawyer

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we champion the rights of parents across the state of Maryland. When you work with our firm, you will receive personalized legal services to help resolve your custody dispute. To schedule a consultation with our Cambridge custody attorneys today, call us at 410-760-9433 or contact us online.