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RPM Law – Trusted Advocates for Maryland Child Custody Matters

Annapolis Child Custody Attorneys Proudly Representing Anne Arundel County and surrounding jurisdictions

RPM Law

Don’t Gamble With Your Child’s Tomorrow

This is not just about where your child will sleep tonight. It’s about who will be there for them on the first day of school, for their scraped knees and graduation, and for their broken hearts. We understand the importance of these moments and will not be overwhelmed or unprepared. Your child’s future is too valuable to anything less than our best efforts. In the midst of a custody dispute, emotions can run high and the fear of losing time with your child can be overwhelming. Each decision, from filing a lawsuit to the final court order, will have a significant impact on your child’s life. At our law firm, we see each case as a sacred responsibility to protect the bond between parents and children, while also ensuring a stable and nurturing future for your child.

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Protecting Your Interests in Custody Disputes

Child custody is a sensitive and emotional subject. Determining where the children will spend their time and who will make their important decisions are often the most contentious part of a divorce or custody case.

Our Annapolis family law attorney can explain the state laws that may apply to your situation and provide effective legal representation for your custody dispute.

Contact Our Annapolis Child Custody Attorney 

RPM Law represents clients in custody cases in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Queen Anne’s County and the Eastern Shore, Howard County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City.

How Do the Family Courts Determine Child Custody in Maryland?

In Maryland, custody is based upon the best interest of the child. If parents are unable to come to an agreement on custody, it may be necessary to have the issue decided by the court.

When determining a child custody schedule, the courts will take into account a variety of factors, such as:

  • Fitness of each parent
  • Character and reputation of each parent
  • Requests and sincerity of each parent
  • Agreements between parties
  • Willingness of each parent to share custody
  • Each parents’ ability to maintain family relations
  • Age and number of kids in each house
  • Preference of child
  • Capacity of the parents to communicate and reach shared decisions
  • Geographic proximity of the houses and opportunities for time with each parent
  • Ability of each parent to maintain a stable & appropriate home
  • Financial status of each parent
  • Demands of parental employment and opportunities for time with child
  • Age, health and sex of child
  • Relationship established between child and each parent
  • Length of separation of parents
  • Whether there was prior voluntary abandonment or surrender of custody
  • Potential disruption of child’s social and school life
  • Impact on state or federal assistance
  • Benefits a parent may receive from joint physical custody and how that will enable the parent to bestow more benefits upon the child

  • Nick Mastracci was my attorney for my custody case. He got exactly what I wanted for my daughter and I. He is easy to talk to, patient, thorough, and down to earth. Nick is very, very good at his job. I would highly recommend him to anyone involved in any kind of custody dispute!

    Sara


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Finding a Child Custody Arrangement that Suits the Best Interests of the Child

Additional factors may be taken into account when determining whether or not a child is considered safe and taken care of in a parent’s home.

For more questions regarding your child custody case, don’t hesitate to contact our firm. We will walk you through the process.

What is the Difference Between Physical and Legal Custody?

Physical custody refers to where a child will live, while legal custody refers to the rights and responsibilities of a parent to make important decisions for their child’s long-term well-being. These decisions include education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities. It is possible for parents to have different arrangements regarding physical and legal custody, such as joint legal custody where one parent has primary physical custody.

What is Joint or Shared Custody?

Joint physical custody is when both parents spend equal time with their child, or when one parent has primary custody and the other parent has at least 128 overnight stays per year. This is often misunderstood as being 92 overnight stays, but the actual threshold is 35% of the total number of nights, which is approximately 128. Joint legal custody means that both parents must agree on major decisions that affect the child’s wellbeing.

Successful joint custody depends on cooperation and communication between the parents. The court considers whether the parents can put their differences aside in order to effectively co-parent. We help clients develop communication tools and parenting plans to reduce conflict and create clear guidelines for decision-making. This transforms a court order into a practical guide for everyday life.

  • I was thankful to have the RPM team on my side. This was a road I did not want to walk but Stacey helped me walk it and always kept my best interest and the interest of my family in mind. If you are looking for a tenacious warrior who will fight for what is right, Stacey is your woman. It takes a special person who can walk with you in your grief but keep pointing you back to the finish line. Thank you so much to the entire team—everyone worked so hard for me. I am forever thankful.

    Rebekah

What is Sole Custody?

Sole physical custody is when only one parent is the primary custodial parent and the other parent has less than 92 overnights per year.

Sole legal custody is when one parent has the authority to unilaterally make major decisions affecting the minor child and must inform the other parent of the decisions. A hybrid of sole legal and joint legal is when the parties have joint legal custody, and if after making a good faith effort to reach a joint decision, they cannot do so, then one parent has tie-breaking or final decision making authority.

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The Path Forward: Negotiation, Mediation, and Litigation

Most custody cases are settled through negotiation rather than going to trial. We are experienced negotiators who work hard to reach mutually beneficial agreements through mediation or four-way conferences. A collaborative parenting plan is usually in the best interests of the child as it takes into account the unique needs and schedules of your family. However, if the other party is unreasonable or uncooperative or if there is concern for the child’s safety we may need to take more aggressive legal action.

Our approach is to prepare every case as if it will go to trial by gathering evidence carefully securing expert witnesses where necessary and developing a strong case for the judge This thoroughness not only strengthens our position in court but also creates leverage for successful negotiation in settlement discussions.

Our Annapolis attorneys have more than four decades of combined trial experience. We prepare each case thoroughly for court in the event that the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation between the parties. We understand that the courtroom can seem intimidating, but you don’t have to face it alone. We will be by your side, ensuring that your voice is heard and your dedication as a parent is fully presented. Your child’s future is the most important thing we will ever fight for, and we will work hard to protect it. If you need help with your case, please contact us today. We can start building a strategy to help protect your child’s future.

If You Need Legal Advice for a Child Custody Dispute, Please Call (443) 333-4343 For an Appointment at With Our Annapolis Child Custody Lawyer.

Common Child Custody FAQs

What does the “best interest of the child” standard really mean in my case?

This is the legal principle guiding all custody decisions. It means the court’s primary focus is not on parental rights, but on the child’s safety, health, and well-being. Judges evaluate numerous specific factors—like each parent’s ability to provide a stable home, their willingness to foster a relationship with the other parent, and the child’s own adjustment to home and school—to determine what arrangement serves the child’s best interests. Our attorneys help you present compelling evidence on these factors

At what age can my child tell the court their custody preference?

While there is no specific age, a child’s reasonable preference is one factor the court may consider. The judge typically gives more weight to the wishes of an older, mature child (often early teens and above). The judge may speak with the child privately to understand their genuine preference without parental pressure. We can advise you on how this factor applies to your unique situation.

How is a parenting plan or custody schedule created?

Ideally, parents create this plan together, often with the help of attorneys or a mediator. It details the physical custody schedule (weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations), decision-making responsibilities (legal custody), and protocols for communication and resolving disputes. If parents cannot agree, the court will impose a schedule based on the child’s best interests, considering factors like parents’ work schedules, the child’s routine, and geographic proximity.

Can custody be modified after the initial order?

Yes, but a modification requires showing a material change in circumstances that affects the child’s welfare—such as a parent relocating, a significant change in a parent’s lifestyle, or the child’s needs evolving with age. The parent seeking the change must then prove the modification is in the child’s best interests. We help clients assess whether their situation warrants seeking a modification.

What is the difference between joint legal custody and sole legal custody?

Joint legal custody means both parents share the right and responsibility to make major decisions about the child’s health, education, and religious upbringing. They must consult each other. Sole legal custody grants one parent the exclusive authority to make these decisions, though they may still be required to inform the other parent. Courts generally favor joint legal custody unless cooperation is impossible or detrimental.

How does the court handle allegations of parental unfitness (e.g., substance abuse, neglect)?

The court takes such allegations extremely seriously. Evidence, such as police reports, medical records, witness testimony, or documented patterns of behavior, will be scrutinized. The court may order evaluations, drug testing, or supervised visitation to protect the child. Our firm meticulously investigates and presents such issues to protect your child’s safety.

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