How To Prepare For A Custody Hearing In Maryland: A Step-By-Step Guide

Here is a summary of the important points covered in this guide:

• The documents you should bring to a custody hearing.
• How to make your case as the custodial parent in Maryland.
• Questions you can expect to be asked by the judge during your custody hearing.

What Documents Do I Need To Bring To A Custody Hearing?

The custody hearing is an important aspect of getting custody of your children, and you need to be as prepared as possible.

There are many different documents that can be used as evidence at a custody hearing. Some examples of evidence that are frequently used at custody hearings include:

• Text messages;
• Emails;
• Social media messages or posts;
• Pictures with your children; and
• Pictures of your home to show the court the quality of the residence that your child would live in.

It’s important to consult with an attorney about the value of your evidence, how it could help your case and whether these documents could come into evidence.

How Do I Prove To A Judge That I’m The Better Custodial Parent?

To strengthen your argument for custody, you can do things like show your involvement with your children and their upbringing. For example:

• Involvement in the day-to-day care of your children;
• Involvement in coordinating and attending doctor’s appointments and school events;
• Showing that you spend time with your children on a regular basis; and
• Making yourself involved in your child’s day-to-day life.

Being actively involved with your children is extremely important for the Court to see, particularly if you are seeking primary or shared custody of your children.

Robert Greenberg is an experienced attorney with distinguished legal academic qualifications who has used his skills and experience to help clients navigate sensitive cases in Family law. He has extensive experience in Family Law and is prepared to help you with custody cases and help you build the relationship you want with your children.

If you still have questions or want to get started, contact the Greenberg Legal Group to schedule an initial consultation and a review of your case.

What Questions Should I Expect To Be Asked By The Judge?

During a custody hearing, if you have an attorney, your attorney will ask you questions designed to support your case. However, the Judge or the opposing attorney may also ask you questions.

Types of questions that you could be asked include:

• Describing your involvement in the children’s upbringing when they were younger;
• Describing your current involvement in caring for your children;
• Describing your relationship with your co-parent, including any difficulties you have had co-parenting with that person; and
• Describing your involvement with your children’s schooling and medical care.

The questions that you are asked by your attorney at trial are designed to give the Judge a full and complete understanding of your involvement with and care for the children. In turn, this helps the Judge decide a custody schedule that the Judge believes to be in the best interests of your children.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid Making During The Custody Hearing?

During the custody hearing, you want to present yourself in the best light possible. When you’re testifying, you want to be respectful, even if you have certain disagreements with the other parent. It’s important to show the Court that you’re not going to engage in any type of badmouthing towards the other parent.

Also, testify truthfully to give the court the best possible information about your case. You should understand that anything you say, both verbally and in writing, can be used as evidence, so communicating effectively with the other parent is important.

Why Should I Hire An Attorney For My Custody Case?

A custody case could determine the future of your children and your role in their lives. You can’t afford to take any chances, and hiring an attorney can ensure you get the best results possible. An attorney can help you in a number of different ways for your custody case, from the first step of the case all the way up to trial.

For example, when you start your case and file your Complaint for Custody, you want to make sure that the Complaint is professionally drafted and has all of the information in it that the Court is looking for. An experienced attorney can help articulate your case in the Complaint for Custody and make sure that all important details are included.

As you go through the case, your attorney can represent you at hearings. Your attorney can also undertake discovery to get important information from the other party for your case.

At trial, you’ll benefit greatly from having an attorney who presents your evidence in a procedurally appropriate way and makes the best possible arguments for your custody case.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on How To Prepare For A Custody Hearing In Maryland, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (410) 650-4242 today.