When navigating the divorce process, one of the most challenging issues can be arranging a child custody schedule. In legal terms, where the child sleeps is considered “Physical Custody.” While taking into consideration Maryland’s “Best Interest” standard, our highly qualified divorce attorney mediators explain and apply the legal considerations to help determine a physical custody schedule that works for each parent — and especially the children.
Some of the legal issues in determining a physical custody schedule include each person’s fitness to parent the child on a day-to-day basis, family relationships and the parent’s support system, material opportunities, educational opportunities, size of the home and child’s sleeping arrangements, and where appropriate, the child’s preference. Custody arrangements can range anywhere from an even, 50/50 schedule, to one parent having sole custody and the other parent having some time to visit with the children. In addition to a day-to-day schedule, we will help coordinate vacations, holidays, and other special occasions between parents. Other considerations include choosing the child’s primary residence, conditions for when a parent intends to travel out of state or out of the country, and the parent’s right of first refusal. We also help resolve future conflicts by discussing potential changes to the custody schedule, like in the case of a parent relocating out of the neighborhood or out of state.
Deciding child custody matters can be a very difficult and emotional part of the divorce process, and it is one that can cause plenty of strife between you and your ex-spouse, but our collaborative mediation process can help to make it a much easier process and can help you to make a plan that is as comprehensive and fair as possible to allow you and your child to still spend quality time together with as little issue between you and your co-parent as possible.
To learn more about custody matters and other issues in a divorce, please download our free Mediation Checklist or contact us for a free phone consultation today.