In child custody disputes, a Maryland trial judge must determine legal and physical custody based on the best interest of the minor child. As of October 1, 2025, judges now have 16 factors that must be evaluated when determining child custody based on the best interest standard. These factors include:

1. Stability and the foreseeable health and welfare of the child;

2. Frequent, regular, and continuing contact with parents who can act in the child’s best interest;

3. Whether and how parents who do not live together will share the rights and responsibilities of raising the child;

4. The child’s relationship with each parent, any siblings, other relatives, and individuals who are or may become important in the child’s life;

5. The child’s physical and emotional security and protection from exposure to conflict and violence;

6. The child’s developmental needs, including physical safety, emotional security, positive self-image, interpersonal skills, and intellectual and cognitive growth;

7. The day-to-day needs of the child, including education, socialization, culture and religion, food, shelter, clothing, and mental and physical health;

8. How to:

• Place the child’s needs above the parents’ needs;

• Protect the child from the negative effects of any conflict between the parents; and

• Maintain the child’s relationship with the parents, siblings, other relatives, or other individuals who have or likely may have a significant relationship with the child;

9. The age of the child;

10. Any military deployment of a parent and its effect, if any, on the parent-child relationship;

11. Any prior court orders or agreements;

12. Each parent’s role and tasks related to the child and how, if at all, those roles and tasks have changed;

13. The location of each parent’s home as it relates to the parent’s ability to coordinate parenting time, school, and activities;

14. The parents’ relationship with each other, including:

• How they communicate with each other;

• Whether they can co-parent without disrupting the child’s social and school life; and

• How the parents will resolve any disputes in the future without the need for court intervention

15. The child’s preference, if age-appropriate; and

16. Any other factor that the court considers appropriate in determining how best to serve the physical, developmental, and emotional needs of the child.

To schedule a consultation with our experienced family law attorney, please contact us at (301) 356-4423. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your family law matter and find the best strategy for you and your family.

Now that the school year is over, it is important to prepare and address any scheduling adjustments for your children’s summer break. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Plan well in advance with your co-parent the exact weeks you each plan to have your children. You should review your court order as often times it will contain the exact provisions outlining the summer visitation schedule.

2. Be flexible. Sometimes clear communication and compromise can lead to stress-free summers with your co-parent. You should clearly communicate with them regarding exchange locations, pick-up and drop-off times, and any travel plans. Consider providing advance notice to foster cooperation, even if not mandated.

3. If your children attend daycare, camps, or other summer activities, discuss them with your co-parent and address financial responsibilities. Often times, your court order will have provisions on each parent’s financial responsibility.

If you need assistance handling co-parenting summer challenges, please contact us at (301) 356-4423 and we will help you find solutions that work best for your family.

Navigating child custody issues in a divorce can be exhausting for many. Sometimes, parties are not able to co-parent effectively which can lead to concerns surrounding their child’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Parenting coordination is “a process in which the parties work with a parenting coordinator to reduce the effects or potential effects of conflict on the parties' child.” Md. Rule 9-205.2.

Generally, parties should consider parent coordination if they are in a high conflict situation, if they frequently have difficulty making joint decisions regarding their children, if there are frequent communication breakdowns, or if there are frequent violations of court-ordered custody orders.

Parties can hire a parenting coordinator on their own or petition the court to appoint one. If the court approves the appointment, the judge will decide which party pays for the parent coordinator (if not both) based on their financial circumstances.

Maryland Rule 9-205.2(g) outlines the services a parent coordinator can render which include:

(1) if there is no operative custody and visitation order, work with the parties to develop an agreed plan for custody and visitation;

(2) if there is an operative custody and visitation order, assist the parties in amicably resolving disputes about the interpretation of and compliance with the order and in making any joint recommendations to the court for any changes to the order;

(3) educate the parties about making and implementing decisions that are in the best interest of the child;

(4) assist the parties in developing guidelines for appropriate communication between them;

(5) suggest resources to assist the parties;

(6) assist the parties in modifying patterns of behavior and in developing parenting strategies to manage and reduce opportunities for conflict in order to reduce the impact of any conflict upon their child;

(7) in response to a subpoena issued at the request of a party or an attorney for a child of the parties, or upon action of the court pursuant to Rule 2-514 or 5-614, produce documents and testify in the action as a fact witness;

(8) if concerned that a party or child is in imminent physical or emotional danger, communicate with the court or court personnel to request an immediate hearing; and

(9) decide post-judgment disputes by making minor, temporary modifications to child access provisions ordered by the court if (A) the judgment or post-judgment order of the court authorizes such decision making, and (B) the parties have agreed in writing or on the record that the post-judgment parenting coordinator may do so.

If you have any questions about your case and whether a parent coordinator will be helpful in your situation, contact us at (443) 741-2568 to schedule a consultation. There are proactive measures you can take to ensure you resolve conflicts and create a healthier environment for your child.