A Compassionate Maryland Child Custody Lawyer

Child custody cases are some of the most emotional and stressful among all of family law. Whether you’re going through a divorce or interested in modifying an existing custody order, you should have an experienced lawyer on your side who cares about your situation.

Tiffany Alston is a skilled family law attorney who has represented families throughout Prince George’s County since 2004 at Alston Gray & Associates, LLC. Her considerable experience and knowledge of navigating custody cases allow her to provide the insight you need to make smart and informed decisions and prioritize the well-being of your child.

Understanding The Types Of Custody

Custody is more than just deciding who should get to keep the child. In Maryland, custody laws are based on the child’s “best interests,” meaning that the child’s well-being, safety and development are more important than anything else, including the wishes of the parents.

There are generally four types of custody:

• Legal custody: This determines who has the legal rights and responsibilities to make crucial decisions about the child’s life, including their education, religious beliefs and medical care.
• Physical custody: This refers to who will be responsible for the child’s main residence and daily caregiving.
• Sole custody: A parent can have sole legal custody, sole physical custody or both. If a parent has both, they are responsible for the child’s upbringing, living arrangements and caregiving. The other parent will not have any say in the child’s life.
• Joint custody: As the most common type of custody, joint custody allows both parents to be involved in decision-making for their child. The child will also be able to live with both parents, as determined by the parents themselves or by the court.

No matter what kind of custody you wish to achieve, you need a skilled child custody lawyer who can help you prepare and navigate the custody process. This is an often highly emotional situation that can result in conflict between parents or caregivers. Children are often caught in the middle. To minimize the impact this process has on your child, Ms. Alston will develop a strong strategy and keep you focused on what’s most important. She will prioritize your child’s needs while fighting for your goals and your rights.

Are Custody Modifications Possible?

As you go through life, it’s natural that a custody order issued years ago may no longer work for your family. If you want to revise your existing Maryland custody order, you will need to prove two crucial factors:

• There was a significant change in circumstances
• That the modification serves the best interests of the child

A significant change in circumstances refers to situations such as:

• Relocation
• Job loss or other financial issues
• Incarceration
• Substance abuse
• Noncompliance of the existing order
• Health issues

In these situations, a parent may request to modify the custody order by demonstrating how the revision is in the child’s best interests. This means showing how the child’s well-being, development and safety remain the top priorities.

Modifications can be tricky to navigate without an experienced attorney on your side. Ms. Alston knows how to review and negotiate these cases. She will work closely with you to learn about your family’s needs and fight to help you get the modifications you want.

Legal Representation You Can Trust

If you’re facing complex child custody issues, you don’t have to handle them alone. Call Ms. Alston today to learn how she can help you through this process at 240-829-1721. Or send an email at your convenience.