Child custody disputes are one of the most emotionally fraught types of family law cases, and a custody dispute can rapidly become a contentious battle during divorce proceedings. Each parent believes that they can do a wonderful job raising the child, and each parent doesn’t want to miss a moment in their child’s life. An experienced child custody attorney in Ellicott City, MD can lower your stress level and fight for a child custody solution in the best interest of your family and your child.
Eleanor Hunt is an experienced child custody attorney in Ellicott City, MD. Her wealth of experience in family law and custody cases informs her approach to each case, and she can guide you and your family through each stage of the process. Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, Eleanor works with Ellicott City parents to create a compelling case and ensure their full understanding of the process. Don’t put the future of your family in the wrong hands.
What Are the Types of Custody in Maryland?
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Legal Custody
Legal custody encompasses long-term decisions about education, religion, healthcare, welfare and other areas.
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Physical Custody
As the name implies, physical custody governs where a child physically resides and day-to-day decisions about his or her life.
Beyond the two types of custody above, there are also different options for court-ordered custody in Maryland:
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Temporary Custody
Temporary custody is awarded before the court holds a hearing, and the court will decide what is in the best interests of the child. Working with a seasoned Ellicott City, MD child custody attorney will ensure you are ready to file a request for a hearing and an Order for Temporary Custody and Support alongside your Complaint for Divorce or Custody.
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Sole Custody
One parent can be granted sole legal custody, sole physical custody, or sole legal and physical custody.
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Split Custody
When there are multiple children involved in a divorce, split custody can be awarded. In some cases, each parent will receive full physical custody over one or more children and the other will receive full physical custody of the other children.
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Joint Legal Custody
Joint legal custody allows both parents to cooperate when making decisions regarding the child, and it does not need to be awarded in conjunction with shared physical custody. Depending on your unique situation and what agreement your Ellicott City, MD child custody attorney can mediate with the other parent, one parent could be granted authority in certain areas of a child’s life (education or healthcare, for example).
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Shared Physical Custody
Shared physical custody occurs when a child has two homes and spends at least 35% of their time with each of the parents.
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Who Can Get Child Custody in Maryland?
Maryland courts typically grant custody to the natural or adoptive parents of a child. If neither of the parents is found to be fit or able to be a guardian, the state does allow third parties, like grandparents, aunts or uncles, to receive custody. Working with a knowledgeable child custody attorney in Ellicott City, MD is critical in every custody case, but particularly when third party guardians are involved.
What Does the Court Look at When Deciding Custody?
In Maryland, one parent is not automatically favored when reviewing a custody case. Instead, the court looks at what is in the best interests of the child. As part of this, a comprehensive range of factors is examined, including:
- Child’s age and gender
- Fitness of each parent
- Character and reputation of each parent
- Mutual agreements between parents regarding a certain outcome
- Child’s preference
- Residences of each parent
- Prior voluntary abandonment or surrender
- Financial resources
- And more!
Working with an Ellicott City, MD child custody attorney helps you to prepare for a hearing and fully understand the factors that will be weighed during the process.
How Can I Find an Ellicott City, MD Child Custody Attorney?
Eleanor Hunt is an experienced Ellicott City, MD child custody attorney and part of the Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser law firm. Through her work at the firm, she offers skilled representation to parents and third party guardians involved in child custody and family law cases. To schedule a consultation, call our firm today at (410) 489-1996.
