FAQs

Child support is a payment made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to cover the costs of their child’s basic needs. It is calculated by a formula set forth under state law called the “income shares model.” This model aims to ensure the child receives the same parental proportion of each parent’s income as if they lived together. Specifically, it considers the income of each parent, the number of children, the cost of health insurance, and childcare expenses.

The length of time it can take to resolve a family law matter can depend on the type of dispute and each party’s willingness to settle. While some matters can be resolved in a matter of weeks or months, others may take years. Cases that are high-conflict and complex will typically take longer to resolve than those where the parties are amicable and willing to work together to reach an agreement.

Not all family law matters need to be resolved in the courtroom. Parties can sometimes negotiate their own solutions. Mediation can offer a private, amicable, and cost-effective way to settle custody, parenting time, and support issues without judicial intervention. Mediation can also allow parents to find creative solutions to their disputes and reach a tailored agreement that works for the whole family. With mediation, a neutral third party helps to facilitate healthy communication between the parents, and both will have the opportunity to express their concerns and needs. Since mediation is a low-conflict process, it can help to preserve the relationship between co-parents for the benefit of the children.

Courts often favor joint custody arrangements whenever possible to ensure both parents are actively involved in the child’s life — and the child is able to have a meaningful relationship with each parent. Parents can have joint legal custody, which means they both have the authority to make important decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, and welfare. Physical custody may also be shared between the parents, which allows both parents to each share a significant amount of time with the child.

Sole custody can come in two parts. Like joint custody, it can refer to legal or physical custody. Sole legal custody gives one parent the authority to make all important decisions for the child. Sole physical custody is when the child has only one primary residence, and one parent is primarily responsible for caring for their daily needs. In most situations where a parent is given sole custody, the other has visitation rights (which often include overnights) unless it is determined not in the best interests of the child to do so.

Child custody in Maryland and Washington D.C. is determined based on the “best interests of the child.” There is no automatic preference based on gender or any other status. Rather, a judge would consider a variety of factors when deciding a child custody arrangement, including parental fitness, each parent’s ability to cooperate with the other, and the stability of the environment. Other factors evaluated by the court can include safety concerns, the child’s relationship with each parent, and the child’s preferences if they are of sufficient age and maturity.