Catonsville, MD Child Custody Lawyers

Compassionate Custody Lawyers Serving Clients in Catonsville, Maryland

Disputes over child custody can be an emotional affair for the whole family. If you are concerned about parenting time or decision-making authority in your child's life, you should consider seeking out a qualified legal representative. A Catonsville child custody attorney can provide you with representation and counsel to give you a voice in the courtroom.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we understand how distressing custody battles can be. When you work with our firm, you will receive personalized legal services to address your concerns, as we will fight for your rights as a parent and advocate for a solution that promotes your child's well-being.

Physical Custody

The right to see your child and take care of them on a regular basis is known as physical custody. While negotiating for a custody agreement in a divorce, you and your spouse will have to work out an appropriate schedule for parenting time. A feasible long-term physical custody schedule should account for the distance between you and your spouse's residence, where the child will go to school, and the child's ties to the community.

In Maryland, both parents have equal rights to physical custody. This means that one parent will not be favored over the other unless there is clear evidence suggesting that giving that parent physical custody would somehow endanger the child. If one parent has a serious criminal record, an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or a prior history of poor treatment of the child, they may face restrictions to their custody rights, such as only being allowed supervised visitation.

The schedule for parenting time can be incredibly important for creating a sense of stability in the child's life. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can argue for a favorable arrangement of physical custody that preserves the bond between you and your child.

Legal Custody

Legal custody is no less important than physical custody, as it governs who can make decisions in the child's life. This may include choices about religion, education, healthcare, and other important areas for the child's upbringing.

The authority of legal custody can be split between the parents, giving exclusive input over specific areas. Alternatively, both parents might have equal input in decisions, with one parent having the final say in certain areas if a dispute arises.

In other cases, one parent might be given sole rights to legal custody while sharing physical custody with the other parent. There is no one right answer to how legal custody should be divided, but it should serve your child's best interests. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we will fight for your right to decision-making authority in your child's life.

Child Support

If you do not have physical custody over your child for a majority of the year, you may be required to pay child support to contribute towards your child's needs. This obligation typically lasts until the child turns 18, or 19 if your child is still in high school by the time they become an adult.

Child support may also continue into adulthood if your child has special needs that inhibit their ability to become independent, or if you and your co-parent agree to cover college expenses. If any issues arise with your ability to pay child support, our lawyers can help you petition for a modification of the court order.

Meet With a Catonsville, Maryland Custody Attorney

When it comes to your child's upbringing, you have a right to voice your opinion. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can advocate for your fitness as a parent and push for a long-term solution that supports your child's health and happiness. Call our firm at 410-760-9433 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation today.