Support & Custody

What Will Happen to My Children?

The first and foremost concern of a parent is for the welfare of his or her child. If you and your spouse are going through a divorce, or you are a single parent, the terms of custody, visitation, and child support in your parenting agreement or decree will determine your ability to care for and maintain a healthy relationship with your child and maintain your financial welfare.

At Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, our attorneys assist clients in establishing their parental rights, working to achieve the clients' goals regarding child custody, visitation, and child support. Members of our family law practice are skilled litigators, and are prepared to defend each client's parental rights in the courtroom as well as at the negotiating table.

Child custody in Maryland

The state of Maryland encourages parenting agreements that make it possible for children to have strong relationships with both parents after divorce or if the parents have never married. A typical arrangement for physical custody would grant primary residential (physical) custody to one parent, and include a provision for generous visitation (parenting time) with the non-custodial parent.

Legal custody is usually shared by parents, giving each the right to fully participate in major parenting decisions, including those involving medical treatment, education, and religion. Under this arrangement, each parent has an equal right to communicate with a teacher or doctor.

Maryland child support guidelines

In Maryland, child support is determined by guidelines that consider the incomes of both parents, child care expenses, and other factors. However, when the parental income is over $10,000 a month, the guidelines no longer apply. It is extremely important to have well-qualified legal counsel when negotiating child support in an "above guideline" divorce or paternity action. Along with property division and other economic issues, child support will significantly affect the long-term economic welfare of the family.

Post-decree modification and contempt actions

Our attorneys assist parents in motions for post-decree modification of child support or child custody in situations where there has been a significant change in circumstances. We also assist parents in contempt actions and defense of contempt actions.

Custody and support mediation services

The state of Maryland requires mediation in any divorce involving children. Senior partner Paul Reinstein, trained in family law mediation and collaborative divorce, provides mediation services throughout the area.

If you would like to discuss child support, custody, or visitation with a member of our family law practice, please contact us to schedule an appointment and initial interview. Our custody lawyers serve clients throughout Maryland from offices in Upper Marlboro and La Plata.

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Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher
Prince George's County, Maryland