Dedicated Child Custody Attorney in Annapolis, MD

Call (410) 593-0040 for the Help You Need

Are you facing a child custody dispute? Our team of legal professionals can help you. At the Law Office of Nicholas T. Exarhakis, we understand that child custody can be an extremely sensitive issue, but it is an inevitable byproduct of divorce. Parents who fail to assert their custody rights may risk being awarded limited time with their child, or even risk losing their parental rights completely. Let our skilled Annapolis divorce lawyer protect your rights and fight on your behalf.

Protecting Parental Rights for Over 25 Years

We understand that child custody can be an extremely touchy subject for any parent. As such, you can be confident that our extensively experienced legal professionals will handle your case with compassion and sensitivity.

When determining who will attain custody of a child, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

• The relationship between each parent and the child
• The financial status of each parent
• The ability of each parent to provide for the child
• The preference of the child
• The child's current state of living and what will disrupt it least
• The lifestyle of each parent
• The physical and mental condition of each parent

When establishing child custody, a judge will look first at what would be in the child's best interest both emotionally and financially. If both parents are able to provide a safe and secure home for the child, then joint custody may be awarded. In addition to joint custody, one or both parents may be awarded physical and legal custody, which decides where the child resides most of the time.

Need a Joint Custody Attorney in Annapolis?

When children are involved in a divorce, things can often be contentious. One of the most important facets of a divorce when children are involved is the custody arrangement. Under Maryland law, a judge will consider the best interests of children in the determination of a custody arrangement. In the event that both parents offer safe and stable housing environments, it is possible to pursue a joint custody arrangement.

Joint custody comes in two forms:

• Physical Joint Custody: Both parents agree on a scheduling arrangement to share the time. This can, but is not necessarily, a 50-50 split between the two parents.
• Legal Joint Custody: Both parents take an equal role in decisions about raising the child. This does necessarily including shared physical custody.

A joint co-parenting arrangement may allow you to reduce stress, save time and allow your child to maintain a healthy relationship with both parents. The stress and circumstances of a divorce may negatively impact a child's life, but this type of arrangement can reduce the chance of those negative divorce consequences happening to your child.

If one of the parents is found unfit to care for the child due to mental problems, a drug/alcohol dependency or any other issues that may be detrimental to the well-being of the child, they may be awarded supervised visitation rights while the other parent will be awarded sole custody.

Emergency Child Custody Cases

Some divorce cases put children at risk of harm from abusive or retaliatory parents, since custody is not awarded while the divorce is in process. In these cases, you as a protective parent may be able to obtain an emergency temporary custody order. To do so, there must be sufficient evidence of an imminent risk of substantial and immediate harm or harassment to your child, or other circumstances which the Court believes require immediate intervention. To get temporary custody, you must go to the clerk at the Circuit Court and file a Motion for Emergency Custody.

Compassionate Legal Support & Guidance for Custody Disputes

If you or someone you know is currently involved in a child custody dispute, the Law Office of Nicholas T. Exarhakis can help you come to a mutual resolution about custody arrangements. We are fully aware of the laws surrounding your parental rights and will fight to obtain the outcome that you desire.

Office Location:

• 132 Holiday Court, Suite 206
• Annapolis, MD 21401

Our services are available to families in Anne Arundel County, Queen Anne's County, Calvert County, Howard County, and Prince George's County. The specific communities served include, but are not limited to: Annapolis, Arnold, Crofton, Millersville, Pasadena, Severna Park, Stevensville, Queenstown, Prince Frederick, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Davidsonville, Grasonville, and Owings.

Do you need reliable and effective legal counsel? Contact our Annapolis divorce attorney today at (410) 593-0040!