Easton, MD Child Custody Attorneys

Experienced Child Custody Lawyers for Parents in Easton, Maryland

Parents going through a divorce or separation must go through the arduous task of figuring out how custody should be divided. The right answer for a custody arrangement may not always be clear, especially if the parents have critical disagreements about raising the child. If you are going through a legal dispute involving your children, an Easton, Maryland child custody attorney can help to protect your rights.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we understand what is at stake in issues of child custody. When you work with our team of lawyers, you will receive personalized legal services geared toward protecting your child's best interests while also recognizing your own needs as a parent.

The Difference Between Physical and Legal Custody in Maryland

In Maryland, the responsibilities of custody are divided up into two distinct categories. Physical custody refers to the duty of a parent to take care of a child, house them, and see them on a regular basis. Legal custody covers the right of a parent to make choices in the child's upbringing, particularly concerning education, religion, and healthcare.

Getting parental rights is not an all-or-nothing award. Parents can share both legal and physical custody over their children, referred to as joint custody. The exact details of a custody agreement are detailed in a parenting plan, a legal document that can be filled out by one or both parents. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can advocate for a sensible child custody arrangement that allows you to play an active role in your child's life.

When Do Judges Award Sole Custody?

Sole custody refers to parenting arrangements where one parent has exclusive rights to physical and legal custody. Courts of family law often lean toward promoting the child's relationship with both parents, so securing sole custody rights can be quite difficult.

To successfully petition for sole custody rights, you must demonstrate that the arrangement would be in the child's best interests. Usually, this means proving that the other parent has been uninvolved or uninterested in the child's life, or proving that the child is not safe in the care of the other parent. The courts take child abuse very seriously, so it is critical that you back up your claim with evidence demonstrating that the other parent is not fit.

Our attorneys can represent you on either side of a custody debate, whether you are looking for sole custody rights or need to defend against allegations of unfitness. We will take a close look at your child's home life to help you advocate for their best interests and safeguard your rights.

How Does Child Custody Impact Child Support?

In most custody arrangements, the parent who has less time with the child will be responsible for paying child support. These payments are intended to cover necessary expenses for the child, including school materials, housing, food, and clothing. In physical custody arrangements that are close to a 50/50 split of parenting time, the parent with the higher income may still have to pay child support.

Note that if your co-parent has fallen behind on child support, it does not give you the right to withhold custody rights. Instead, you can petition the court to take action by garnishing their wages or holding them in contempt of court. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can help you enforce a child support order as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

Meet With an Easton, Maryland Child Custody Lawyer Today

Do you need help resolving a legal dispute involving your children? Our Easton child custody attorneys can help. To schedule an initial consultation with Zide Law Group, LLC, call our offices at 410-760-9433 or contact us online today.