Columbia Same-Sex Divorce Attorneys

How is same-sex parenthood established in Maryland?

Any male or female who is the biological parent of a child is the legal parent of the child, and has the right to demand joint or sole custody (legal or physical) of that child. Same-sex couples whose partners both adopt a child from other biological parents also have the right to a resolution of legal and physical custody of their child. The key difficulty is how the parenthood of a non-biological, non-adoptive parent is established.

To combat these challenges, Maryland expanded the rights to parenthood in 2016. A Court of Appeals decision held that some same-sex spouses or partners can be declared de facto parents. To do so:

“the legal parent must consent to and foster the relationship between the third party and the child; the third party must have lived with the child; the third party must perform parental functions for the child to a significant degree; and most important, a parent-child bond must be forged.” (Conover v. Conover)

Another way to establish parenthood is through second-parent adoption. If the non-biological parent adopts the child, then he or she would be listed as a parent on the birth certificate.

The laws are intricate and intimidating, and may not always work in your favor, even when it seems obvious that they should. One of our Columbia LGBTQ family lawyers will fight to ensure you have time with your children, and that you receive the child support you need to protect your children’s futures.

How is legal and physical custody decided in Howard County?

Legal custody is the ability to make long-term decisions for the child, and to be informed by teachers and doctors of related issues for that child. Legal custody includes the right to decide where the child goes to school, what medical treatments are applied and the child’s religion. Physical custody refers to where the child resides, and who takes care of the child on a daily basis.

Same-sex parents can share legal custody, or one parent can have sole legal custody. Same-sex parents can also share physical custody (the child must spend at least 35% of his/her time with each parent), or one parent can have sole custody while the other parent has visitation rights.

Parenting plans and custody orders should, in addition to establishing legal and physical custody:

• Set forth the visitation schedule if physical custody isn’t shared
• Determine many practical issues, such as how the child will get from one parent’s home to the other parent’s home
• Identify how disputes are handled to minimize court involvement

Modification of any custody order requires a change in circumstances such as relocation to a new Maryland home or to another state, or a child turning 18, barring certain exceptions.

Do I have to pay child support if we have joint custody of our child?

Maryland requires that both parent contribute to supporting their child even when parents have joint custody.

How is child support determined?

Same-sex parents must provide financial support for their children. Howard County analyzes the income of each parent, the number of children who need support and who will pay for health insurance, among other factors. The courts use specific guidelines to determine how much support should be paid, though it can deviate from the guidelines in certain cases. Our Columbia child support lawyers fight to ensure that your child receives what he or she needs in order to flourish, and to ensure his or her best possible future.