State Courts base child custody decisions on the best interests of the child. Various factors can affect how the Court awards and divides custody between parents. Even after a Court enters a child custody order, disputes can arise that require legal attention and guidance from a child custody lawyer.
Common custody issues in Frederick include parenting schedules, decision-making rights on important matters, physical access, and relocation when either parent wishes to move. Our experienced attorneys at Rolle & DeLorenzo can help you understand the process and advocate for a fair outcome in your custody case.
Child custody generally has two parts: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to each parent’s right to share in decision-making and exercise control over choices about healthcare, education, religion, and other important matters. Physical custody refers to when a child spends time with each parent, which the Court usually measures in overnights.
State Courts prefer that both parents share legal custody if they are capable of doing so, while one parent could have primary physical custody. Maryland Family Code § 9-201 defines the best-interest factors Courts use to make custody decisions. Before and after a Court enters a Frederick child custody order, some problems arise more often than others. Knowing what to expect and how to handle these disputes will prepare parents to reach successful outcomes.
Parents can disagree with each other on key matters involving a child’s care. Below are some of the more frequent issues in child custody cases:
Parenting Schedules
Finalizing a parenting schedule is a complex process that many parents may not agree on initially. Determining where a child spends overnights during the year, celebrates holidays, and stays on weekends and school nights can lead to bitter arguments. Failing to follow a Court-ordered parenting schedule can also lead to issues that require further Court involvement.
Relocation
When one parent seeks to move to a different city or out of state, the other parent might dispute the move if it affects their parenting time. Moving out of state with a child may require the Court’s permission, and even shorter moves might lead to Court intervention.
Decision-Making Authority
When parents share joint legal custody, they should discuss decisions about overall approaches to their child’s care, including their school, church, medical care, and health concerns. Children’s access to technology, devices, and social media has also become a critical concern. When parents cannot agree on decisions, mediation and Court hearings might become part of the resolution.
Information Sharing
Parents have the right to know how their child is doing and what care they receive at home and school. However, the extent of the information each parent may receive can be less clear. When one parent withholds important information from the other or pries unnecessarily into trivial details about life in the other parent’s home, disputes can escalate.
When parents cannot resolve disputes on their own or need to create or modify a custody order, our Frederick attorneys can help them navigate the challenging path forward.
Child custody involves many aspects of a child’s care, and disagreements between parents can require legal assistance. Our knowledgeable attorneys will help you understand common custody issues in Frederick and how to address them. Call us at Rolle & DeLorenzo today to schedule a consultation.
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