Category Archives: Child Custody
How to Create a Parenting Plan That Works for Maryland Courts
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important steps is creating a parenting plan that protects their children and meets court requirements. At Fanning Law in Maryland, attorney William C. Fanning Jr. works closely with parents to develop clear, practical parenting plans that reflect their family’s unique needs while aligning with Maryland… Read More »
Ten Factors the Court Considers When Evaluating the Best Interests of Children in Maryland
When parents are involved in a custody dispute, the court’s primary focus is not on what is most convenient for either parent. The guiding principle is the best interests of the child. At Fanning Law in Maryland, William C. Fanning Jr. helps parents understand how judges evaluate custody cases and what factors can influence… Read More »
Unmarried Parents in Maryland: Custody and Support Rights Explained
Navigating parental rights can feel overwhelming for unmarried parents in Maryland. Many mothers and fathers are unsure where to begin, what their rights actually are, and how to protect their child’s best interests. At Fanning Law, our La Plata Family Law Attorneys regularly help parents understand how Maryland law handles custody, visitation, and child… Read More »
Modifying Custody or Child Support Orders in Maryland: When Is It Allowed?
Custody and child support orders are designed to provide stability for children and clarity for parents, but life circumstances can change. When they do, the existing court order may no longer reflect what is best for the child or fair for the parents. At Fanning Law, our La Plata Divorce and Family Lawyers regularly… Read More »
New Maryland Child Custody Guidelines Take Effect
In May 2025, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed into law HB1191/SB0548, which codifies the factors that judges must use in deciding child custody cases. The legislation formally took effect on October 1, 2025. This article contains a brief explanation of the new legislation and how it alters existing Maryland child custody law. Common Law… Read More »
Can Keeping Guns Affect Your Child Custody Rights in Maryland?
The Second Amendment protects every American’s “right to keep and bear arms.” And while Maryland has somewhat more restrictive gun laws than other states, generally any law-abiding person over the age of 21 can obtain a license to purchase, own, and carry a handgun. That said, a police officer or family member can ask… Read More »
Can a Parent Force Their Child to Testify in a Maryland Custody Modification Hearing?
Child custody disputes in Maryland obviously focus on what is in the best interests of the child. In making such a determination, a judge may consider the child’s own “preference.” Indeed, if the judge refuses to consider the child’s preference, that can be grounds for overturning a final custody order on appeal. Appellate Court:… Read More »
When Must a Maryland Court Consider Whether to Modify a Child Custody Order?
Raising a child is not a static situation. Things can and do change as that child grows up. The parents’ situation may also change as well. They may start out married, only to later divorce. When that happens, a Maryland court must step in and determine how to award legal and physical custody of… Read More »
Can a Maryland Grandparent Demand Visitation Rights After a Grandchild’s Parent Dies?
Grandparents often form a close bond with their grandchildren. This bond may be strengthened in times of tragedy or grief, such as when the grandchild’s parent dies. But how does Maryland law deal with a situation where a grandparent seeks visitation rights over the objection of the surviving parent? Appellate Court: Mother’s Death Not… Read More »
When Can a Maryland Judge Change the Last Name of a Child?
Historically, Maryland courts followed a rule that said a father had the right to have his children bear his last name. And while many people in the 2020s still follow that custom, it is no longer a strict legal mandate. Indeed, under Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights, equality under the law… Read More »