The Client
Comes First
Willis & Henderson, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
3290 North Ridge Road
Suite 210
Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-461-9400
Child custody is an issue in most separations and
divorces, and more often than not, is the primary source of
conflict. It is always better to agree to an arrangement and
to cooperate when children are involved. It is, however,
sometimes necessary to litigate the issue of custody and
support. In Maryland, it is possible to seek custody and
support even if there is no divorce action pending, so long
as the parties are not living together. You have a right to
child support if you are the custodial parent, and a lawyer
can help you be sure you are getting the support your child
deserves.

In Maryland there is no presumption in favor of one parent
over the other in deciding custody.  That is, there is no
presumption in favor of the mother, and no presumption
that the father is a better parent for a boy, and the mother
better for a girl.  There is also no presumption in favor of
the parent with the most money, highest income, or better
house.  The sole standard is the best interest of the child.

That all being true, as a practical matter, the mother will
usually get custody in a contested case, absent a showing
that she is an unfit parent, of absent some serious
wrongdoing on her part.

There is also no presumption that a parent is unfit simply
because he or she might be at fault in causing the divorce,
such as in the case of adultery.  The court may consider it
as a factor, but it does not automatically mean that person
will not get custody.
Child Custody