Towson Child Custody Lawyers

Fathers’ Rights

When children are involved in a divorce, emotions can often turn an already stressful situation into an unbearable one, especially when both parents want to spend equal time with their children following the divorce. The decision of who will get primary physical custody of the children and which parent receives visitation rights is no longer automatic. Modern fathers have taken an active role in the raising and nurturing of their children, and it is not always in the best interests of the child for the mother to have primary physical custody.

At Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC, we are cognizant of the changing family dynamic and advocate for the rights of fathers seeking joint or primary custody of their children post divorce. Our child custody lawyers are seeing more and more fathers fighting long held stereotypes that women are more naturally suited to raise and nurture children. As gender roles continue to become more equal in the business world, men are taking a more active, hands-on role in raising their children. It is no longer uncommon to see the father as the primary caregiver because the mother is the primary breadwinner in the family.

Even with all of the progress society has made in equality between men and women, fathers are still losing out when it comes to child custody issues in a divorce. Our child custody lawyers in Towson are committed to protecting a father’s legal rights to custody, whether it be shared or primary custody. While our focus is on serving the best interests of the child, we are also centered on protecting the legal rights of men when determining child custody and support issues.

Factors Used to Determine Child Custody

Maryland is one of many states that has formally eradicated the maternal preference doctrine, which for many years awarded custody of children in divorce cases to the mother, unless she was proven to be unfit. Even so, many judges seemed to continue to favor the mother of children in a divorce case. Though Maryland courts do not set a mandated list of factors to consider, there are several factors that judges need to consider to determine what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child.

Maryland mandates that all divorcing couples with children participate in custody mediations and evaluations. These procedures will help couples make the best decisions for their children, or in the event that a judge decides the custody arrangements, the factors to determine which parent is most suitable can be fully weighed.

The physical fitness and overall health of each parent is used to determine if one of them is more physically able to keep up with the demands of raising a child. The character and reputation of each parent is studied, along with the quality of their relationships with family members and relatives. The residences of each parent are evaluated, including the geographic proximity of each parent’s home in relation to maintaining an active role in the life of the child.

Determining Joint Legal Custody

In cases wherein a divorcing couple or one of the spouses is requesting joint legal custody, there are even more factors to be considered. This issue surrounds how the most important decisions for the child should be made, by one parent or by both jointly, which in many cases is preferable. A judge must closely examine the existing relationships that each child has to the parent, and the quality of the relationship between the parents themselves. Communication between the adults is essential to the best interests of the children. Parents must be able to negotiate and work together in decisions affecting the child’s health, education, future. The parents must be willing to sacrifice their own agenda in favor of the welfare of the child.

The court will also take into consideration whether or not both parents are willing to share custody and evaluate what benefits joint custody will provide. If a parent is resistant to joint custody, the strain of entering into such an arrangement can have a negative effect on the child’s emotional and psychological health.

Towson Child Custody Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Advocate for the Rights of Fathers in Child Custody Issues

If you are a man that is considering divorce, or are a father involved in a child custody dispute, the Towson child custody lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC can ensure that your legal and paternal rights are protected. Our Maryland child custody lawyers are strong advocates for fathers seeking an active parenting role in the lives of their children following a divorce. We are committed to helping you negotiate the best interests for you and your children.

Call us at 443-589-0150, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our offices are conveniently located in Hunt Valley, Pikesville and Towson and we serve clients in Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County, including the towns of Baltimore, Towson, Essex, Columbia, Pikesville, and Bel Air.