Pasadena, MD Child Custody Lawyers

Capable Custody Lawyers Representing Parents in Pasadena, Maryland

Parents going through a divorce or separation have a responsibility to determine how child custody should be split up. This is a delicate process mired in complex laws about the child's best interests. An experienced Pasadena custody attorney can help you advocate for a suitable custody arrangement that promotes a strong bond between you and your child.

Settling a debate about child custody requires shrewd negotiation skills. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our team of attorneys can lend uniquely qualified insights into your case from our decades of shared experience. We can advocate for you in and outside of court, pursuing a favorable result on your behalf.

Visitation Rights

Even if you are not the main custodial parent, you are still entitled to reasonable time with your child. This is referred to as the right to visitation, and it allows you to remain actively involved in your child's life even if you do not live with them.

There is no standard schedule for visitation. You and your co-parent can work out a visitation plan that aligns with your schedule, such as certain days of the week or a set amount of weekends per month.

Visitation is flexible by design, accommodating the needs of both the child and the parents. However, the court can impose certain restrictions on visitation as well. If the parent with visitation has a prior history of neglect, abuse, or general parental unfitness, the court might only allow supervised visits with the child. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can represent you in legal hearings about visitation and, if it would serve the child's best interests, petition for a modification of physical custody.

What Is Legal Custody?

Most people tend to think of custody as who gets to keep the child. While this is true, this often overlooks legal custody, which is an entirely separate responsibility. With legal custody, you are granted the authority to make decisions in your child's life. This may include choices about:

• Where the child should go to school
• What religion the child will be raised in
• Medical procedures
• Religious upbringing
• Discipline and punishments

Legal custody can be awarded to both parents, as long as there is a clear way to resolve any disagreements. When considering whether or not to give a parent legal custody, the courts may consider the parent's involvement in the child's life, among many other factors. Our attorneys can advocate for your right to legal custody so that you can provide input.

Making a Parenting Plan for Child Custody

In Maryland, divorcing parents are required to submit a parenting plan to the court. This is a document that fully outlines the terms for physical and legal custody. In addition, a parenting plan can also include how the parents will communicate about the child's needs and how future disagreements will be resolved (such as going to mediation).

You and your co-parent can make separate or joint parenting plans. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our lawyers can help you draft a thorough parenting plan to address your child's upbringing in the long term.

Contact a Pasadena Child Custody Lawyer Today

Child custody can be legally complex and emotionally challenging. Having a qualified legal advocate at your side can help to make the process easier for you. With the help of a Pasadena, MD custody attorney, you can negotiate for a favorable split of physical and legal custody, taking into account your child's needs as well as your parental rights.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we are ready to provide you and your family with comprehensive legal assistance. To set up an initial consultation today, call our offices at 410-760-9433 or reach out to us online.