Child Custody & Visitation Attorney in Gaithersburg, MD
Committed Advocacy for Parental Rights & Child Custody Matters in Montgomery County
Nothing in a divorce or separation cuts deeper than the question of who gets the kids. Where will they live? Who makes decisions about school, healthcare, and religion? How much time does each parent get? These aren't just legal questions; they're about your relationship with your children and the kind of life they'll have going forward.
Fatemi Law represents parents in custody and visitation cases throughout Montgomery County. We work to build arrangements that protect the parent-child relationship while meeting the court's "best interests of the child" standard. Whether you're fighting for sole custody, advocating for a fair shared arrangement, or defending against an ex who's trying to exclude you, we focus on outcomes that provide stability for your children and clarity for everyone involved.
Maryland law recognizes different custody structures (sole custody, joint legal custody, shared physical custody) and each one has real consequences for your decision-making authority and time with your children.
Protect your parental rights by scheduling a consultation with our Gaithersburg child custody and visitation attorney at (301) 857-4914 today.
How Maryland Courts Decide Child Custody Cases: The Best Interests Factors
Maryland judges don't flip a coin. They evaluate custody based on specific legal factors. If you walk into court unprepared, you'll lose ground that you can't recover.
The court looks at the fitness of each parent, your character and reputation, any existing agreements between you and your co-parent, and the practical realities of your lives (your financial resources, how close you live to the child's school, proximity to extended family, etc.). They consider who's been the primary caregiver, which parent is more likely to encourage a relationship with the other, and whether there's any history of domestic violence or abuse.
If your child is old enough, the judge may consider their preference. However, that's not the whole picture; it's just one piece of a larger puzzle.
We gather the evidence that matters: school records, medical history, witness statements, and work schedules. We build a case that shows why your custody proposal serves your child's best interests and meets Maryland's legal standards. The goal is to present a complete story to the court that the judge can't ignore.
Modifying Custody Orders When Circumstances Change
Court-ordered custody arrangements are not permanent when there are material changes in circumstances. Life events, such as relocations, employment changes, remarriage, or shifts in a child's developmental needs, can warrant modification of existing orders.
Maryland law requires that the change be material, meaning it is substantial and unanticipated at the time the original order was entered. A parent relocating to another state qualifies as material. A significant change in a child's educational or medical needs may be eligible for consideration. Dissatisfaction with the current arrangement, without more, does not meet this threshold.
We represent parents both seeking modifications and defending against modification petitions. Before pursuing a modification, we assess the strength of your position, as unsuccessful petitions consume resources without achieving results. When the facts support modification, we present evidence demonstrating why the change serves the child's best interests.
We also handle enforcement proceedings when a co-parent violates the custody order, such as failing to comply with visitation schedules, refusing to return the child as ordered, or making unilateral decisions that exceed their legal authority. Court orders carry legal weight, and we pursue enforcement measures to uphold your rights and maintain the integrity of the custody arrangement.
Child Support Calculations in Maryland Custody Cases
Custody determinations are directly linked to child support obligations. Maryland applies the Child Support Guidelines to calculate support based on the combined income of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of overnight time each parent spends with the children.
Accurate calculation matters. We review all income sources, confirm that deductions are appropriate, and verify that the support figure reflects the legal formula. Whether you are the payor or the recipient, the amount must be correct, neither inflated nor understated.
The guidelines do not apply uniformly in every case. Situations involving children with special needs, parents with substantial income, or extraordinary expenses may justify deviations from the standard calculation. We present financial evidence and legal arguments to support deviation requests when the circumstances warrant it.
Support proceedings require thorough documentation, including tax returns, pay stubs, proof of health insurance premiums, and childcare costs. We prepare clients with the documentation the court will require and present a clear financial picture during the hearing.
For comprehensive custody and child support representation, contact our Gaithersburg, Maryland child custody and visitation lawyer at Fatemi Law at (301) 857-4914 or reach out to us online.
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