Columbia Child Custody Lawyers

Protecting Your Children’s Best Interests

When a couple goes through a divorce or separation, their children require special attention and consideration. That is why the law in various states requires family law judges to focus their attention on the child’s best interests in child custody cases.

At Ward & Co., Chtd., we have represented the best interests of families in Columbia, Maryland for over two decades. Our team of Columbia child custody attorneys is dedicated to making sure families find a just resolution to their child custody disputes. However, if compromise is not a reasonable option in your case, we are prepared to tenaciously advocate for your rights and the interests of your child.

Child Custody Laws in Maryland

Historically, a parent’s rights concerning the care and control of their children were known as “custody” rights. However, updates to Maryland law characterize these rights as “legal decision making” and “parenting time.”

Under Maryland law, arrangements about legal decision making and parenting time are categorized as follows:

• Legal decision making: Formerly known as “legal custody,” a parent with legal decision making rights has the authority to make certain decisions on their child’s behalf regarding matters like education, religious upbringing, discipline, and medical care. Decision making rights can be solely or jointly exercised. Arrangements regarding joint legal decision making involve parents with equal rights to make decisions for the child, with no parent having greater authority than the other. Decisions require both parents to agree. In contrast, decisions involving sole legal decision making rights give only one parent the right to make such decisions.
• Parenting time: Custody arrangements concerning parenting time dictate a parent’s right to physically spend time with a child. Parenting time can be shared between the parents in various degrees. Parents can have equal parenting time rights, or one parent can have more parenting time than the other. This concept was previously called “physical custody” and “visitation.”

Get Started by Calling Ward & Co., Chtd. to Consult a Child Custody Attorney in Columbia

If you are in the middle of a difficult legal matter concerning your rights for making legal decisions and having parenting time with your young child, it is in your best interest to consult an experienced attorney from Ward & Co., Chtd. Our team of dedicated Columbia child custody lawyers is here to promote the needs of you and your family in legal actions concerning Maryland divorce and family law, including child custody matters.