When your son or daughter does not live with you, (whether as a result of divorce, separation or the breakup of a relationship), you need visitation in order to spend time with your child so you can be an important part of your child's life. You may even seek visitation if you have never been a part of your child's life in the past. Visitation can be agreed on by the parties, or it can be determined by the court. Although the courts try to have the parties resolve their visitation issues, it is best to have an attorney to represent your interests and help you obtain the outcome you are hoping for.
Visitation schedules can vary, depending upon each parent's needs and what is best for the child. Parents may alternate weekends with the child, or Mom may have the child at Thanksgiving while Dad has him or her during the Christmas vacation.
Visitation may be changed whether or not visitation was set by agreement or by the Court. You may want to modify a visitation agreement following a divorce, whether because you or the other parent may be moving, your child does not get along with a step-parent, or because the previous visitation arrangements are no longer in your child's best interest.
The attorneys at Edwards Phillip Amourgis, PC, will work on your behalf to protect your interests and create a visitation arrangement that works for you and your child. Call 301-328-1243, toll free at 877-593-5219 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
Grandparent Rights and Visitation
Grandparents hold a special place in a child's life. However, the grandparents' relationship with the child can be damaged as the result of a divorce between the child's parents, the death of the child's parent or a change in child custody. In these cases, the grandparents may not be able to visit with, or even speak by telephone, with their grandchild.
However, grandparents are not without rights in Maryland. Under certain conditions, a grandparent may be awarded reasonable visitation with the child. Some of the factors that the Court may consider in awarding or denying grandparent visitation rights are:
- The wishes of the child's parents regarding visitation;
- The nature and strength of ties between the child and the grandparent,
- The relationship between the grandparent and the child's parent(s);
- The emotional effects on the child of either resuming or stopping the grandparent's visits;
- The child's age
The Court looks at these and other factors to determine whether continuing or restarting grandparent visitation is in the best interests of the child.
At Edwards Phillip Amourgis, PC, we work tirelessly to protect our clients' best interests and legal rights. Call 301-328-1243, toll free at 877-593-5219 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.