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.