When there is an issue regarding child access and visitation, many parents have a difficult time understanding their legal rights.
When a family faces a divorce or separation in Worcester County, MD, the most pertinent legal questions often revolve around child custody and visitation. Family law magistrates and judges in Maryland prioritize protecting the children’s best interests during divorce and child custody hearings. When there is an issue regarding child access and child visitation, many parents have a difficult time understanding their legal rights and obligations. However, with the assistance of an experienced child visitation attorney, you can develop a child visitation and access schedule that best suits your family situation.
Understanding Your Visitation Rights
Child visitation is a right, not a privilege. A parent’s right to child visitation cannot be ignored, terminated, or restricted by the parent with custody without a court order.
The court may modify child visitation rights once a child visitation order is established. Maryland courts typically modify a visitation schedule if it is in the child’s best interest and if circumstances have changed.
Who Can Be Granted Visitation?
The primary consideration in determining child access rights in Worcester County is the child’s best interests. Biological parents are usually given child visitation rights. There are some instances where grandparents have been granted visitation, usually in cases where one or both parents have been incarcerated, suffering from addiction, or are otherwise unable to care for their children. When making a child access decision, Maryland Courts consider the physical and mental condition of the parents, current family relationships, and the child’s preference if they are mature enough. Supervised or no visitation with the non-custodial parent may be an appropriate decision in certain circumstances.
How are Child Visitation Schedules Determined?
Parents may work together to develop an effective child visitation schedule as a part of their divorce settlement agreement. If they cannot agree on an arrangement, a judge will decide for them. The child’s, or children’s, best interest will be the top priority in those instances.
Protecting Your Visitation Rights in Worcester County
For a child, spending quality time with a parent is critical for their growth and development. If a spouse or significant other is denying your rights to see your child, your circumstances have changed and current arrangements are no longer working, or if you feel like you are not getting enough time with your child, it may be time to take legal action and get your visitation rights enforced by a judge.
The Right Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
Hiring a lawyer in Worcester County, MD should be the first thing you do when encountering any legal matter, not a last resort. Whether you’re thinking about a separation or divorce or have been charged with a crime, been injured in an accident, or your civil rights have been violated, you need to first know your rights. Contact Mike Mastracci today at 614 Edmondson Ave Catonsville, MD 21228 (with satellite offices in Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Salisbury, Worcester County, Maryland), 410-869-3400, and check us out on Facebook.