Both my spouse and I already had children from previous relationships. Now we are getting a Maryland divorce. How is child custody awarded in Maryland when it comes to a blended family?

There is no set formula when it comes to child custody in Maryland. Basically, when a judge is determining child custody, he or she will weigh all the contributing factors and come to a decision based on what appears to be best for the child in question.

In the case of a blended family, it is possible that what is in the best interest for one child is not the same as for another child. For example, the judge could very well determine that all children live with their biological parents, even if that means separating the children.

However, this is not a given, especially if the biological parent has exhibited any signs of abandonment or endangerment to his or her child or there are accusations of such behavior.

The judge will do what he or she believes is in the best interest of the child based on the facts presented in court. It is your job to make sure that those facts are both accurate and fair. You should know that a persuasive attorney, whether good or bad, can affect the decision made.

When the care of your child is at risk, it’s important that you don’t take any chances. Talk to an experienced Maryland child custody lawyer today to see what your rights are and to make sure your child has the best future possible. For a free consultation, call Nickelsporn and Lundin at 1-800-875-9700.