Are There Different Types Of Child Custody In Maryland?

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There are two types of custody in Maryland. One is legal custody, which covers decision-making, and the other is physical custody or residential custody, which covers time-sharing. The two different types of physical custody are shared custody and sole custody. If you are not sure about the different types of custody available, contact an Oxon Hill, MD child custody attorney by calling 800-400-2350.

Are There Different Types Of Visitation Agreements? How Are They Determined?

The two types of visitation agreements are based on whether there is shared custody or sole custody, and are determined by child support guidelines. If one parent has a child for at least 128 overnights, it becomes shared custody by child support guidelines. Custody arrangements can be fifty-fifty, one week on and one week off, four nights, three nights, every other weekend, and many other different variations. There many different types, but when we look at the calendar year, there are really just two: one parent may have sole custody while the other has visitation rights. Alternatively, parents could have shared physical custody (as discussed above). The type of arrangement can be decided by settlement or by a judge’s order. Lots of cases are resolved in mediation; which in many cases is ordered by the court before trial. Whether you need help with mediation or at trial for your child custody case, contact a Child Custody lawyer in Maryland.

Could The Court Reject a Parenting Plan That Is Agreed Upon By Both Parents?

The court ‘could’ reject a parenting plan that is agreed upon by both parents, but I have never seen that happen. The courts are in favor of parents coming to decisions in lieu of the bench making decisions about their child. The court is the stranger to both parties, and to the child(ren), and at the end of the day, they’ll still be strangers. You only have a few hours to make a good impression to the judge and to highlight some of your concerns about the other parent. For that reason, it’s highly unlikely that a court will say no to a proposal that the parties agree is in the best interest of their child(ren). Contact a Prince George’s County child custody lawyer to resolve any issues you may be facing in your child custody case.

What Are Some Rules And Regulations Associated With Relocation Of A Child?

If a present order applies to a situation in which both parents live within close geographical proximity of each other, then there will likely be frequent contact between the child and both parents. If a parent relocates, then the visitation schedule needs modification. If the parties can’t agree on a modification, then they will have to return to the court to have the schedule modified.

Do Grandparents Have Any Parental Rights In Maryland?

In Maryland, grandparents do not have parental rights; they are seen just like any other third party, which is anyone who is not the parent of the child. So, being the grandparent doesn’t give you absolute rights to visitation. However, depending on the level of contact that the grandparents have had with the minor child, they may have certain rights. For instance, there have been plenty of times where the grandparents have taken care of a child for extended periods of time, and then the parents return eight months or a year later and say, “Hey, I’ve got myself together and I want my kid back.”

Based on those circumstances, the court would consider giving the third-party grandparents visitation rights because doing so would be in the best interest of the child. Everything in custody cases revolves around the standard of what is in the best interests of the child. Regardless of who the litigants are, the court can decide that giving visitation rights to a third party is in the best interests of the child. Connover vs Connover goes through the four-part test that a court will look at to determine whether or not a third-party should have rights to visitation.

How Long Do Child Custody Cases Typically Take To Get Resolved?

Child custody cases that are settled without discovery should take (at most) a few months to get resolved from the time of filing. Cases that involve litigation could take anywhere from six months to a year to get resolved. The length of time depends on whether or not there is a best interest attorney or custody evaluators involved, and whether or not a home study has to be done conducted.

For more information on Child Custody Cases In Maryland, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (800) 400-2350 today. Our child custody attorney in Oxon Hill, MD and Prince George’s County provides Free Consultation to clients.