Annapolis Child Custody Lawyers

Absolutely. Many parents who separate or divorce remain in the same general area so the children can spend time with each of them regularly. Military service means that deployment or being assigned to a new post can happen at any time. Your custody and visitation arrangements need to reflect those possibilities. You may need to modify your parenting plan and other related agreements if circumstances change. Your attorney can work with you to ensure that your rights are protected.

When parents cannot agree on child custody and visitation through an agreement or mediation, the courts may step in and make decisions for them. Neither parent might be pleased with the outcome, but both must follow the court's orders. In many cases, it is best to work with your attorney to pursue a resolution that will be satisfactory for both parties.

When courts decide matters involving child custody, child support, and visitation, they are required to prioritize the best interests of the child. Factors that should be considered include the children's health, safety, and special needs. If the children are mature and old enough, their wishes may also be taken into account. Courts also examine issues that may affect each parent, including their health, financial stability, ability to properly care for their children, and any factors that might make them unfit parents.

Yes, criminal activities, charges, and convictions can affect matters involving your children. We can help you make sure issues related to criminal charges will be addressed correctly in your case, whether you are trying to get visitation rights or make sure your children's safety and well-being are protected when they are in the care of the other parent. We will always work to protect your and your children's best interests.

When the courts approve a parenting plan, both parents are required to follow these court orders. One parent might consistently fail to see their children at the specified times, be extremely early or late when picking up or dropping off the children, or violate the other parent's right of first refusal. Whichever side of this issue you are on, our experienced attorneys can help you modify existing visitation agreements or take steps to enforce the court's orders.

Although most children of divorced or separated parents will be able to spend time with both parents, there are some cases where contact with one of the parents is not in the children's best interests. Whether due to criminal activity, domestic violence, or another reason, it may be possible to limit parental rights if the children's safety or well-being is threatened. An experienced family law attorney can help you address these issues and advocate for solutions that will protect your children's best interests.

Not all parents choose to get married. While children born during a marriage are assumed to be the biological children of both spouses, that is not the case for unwed parents. For the father to be recognized as having legal rights, he must establish legal paternity. Otherwise, the biological mother will have sole custody rights. Your lawyer can help you establish paternity to protect your parental rights.

Sometimes, parents decide to change arrangements related to child custody or visitation after finalizing their divorce. You may trust the other parent to keep their end of the bargain through a verbal agreement or private documentation, but this could lead to disputes in the future. To avoid potential concerns, it is usually best to request a modification of your parenting agreement through the court. Our attorneys can help you take steps to modify child custody orders legally.