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answered on Aug 16, 2023

In situations like this, it's important to consider the best interests of both you and your baby. While laws vary by jurisdiction, generally speaking, being pregnant at 16 does not automatically affect your legal custody of your child. However, your situation might be influenced by factors... View More

I see you're in Prince George's County. Although I'm a [Baltimore County child custody lawyer](https://www.ostendorflaw.com/practice_areas/maryland-child-custody-lawyer.php), the same principles would apply in your jurisdiction as we are discussing Maryland law generally.... View More

You need a lawyer to review the jurisdictional issues. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act has been codified in both CA and MD (and every other state, I believe) and there must be a hearing first to determine which state court will hear the case and exercise jurisdiction... View More

If your child support order does not already include a waiver of child support while your child is with you exclusively for a month or whatever period of time you have him, then no, you cannot unilaterally withhold child support or take it to defray your costs. Only another court order modifying... View More

An appeal from the circuit court goes first to the Appellate Court of Maryland (formerly called Court of Special Appeals). Although the Supreme Court of Maryland (formerly the Court of Appeals) has the discretion to take jurisdiction over an appeal pending before the Appellate Court, it rarely does... View More

In order to enforce an out-of-state judgment or order in Maryland (or in any other state) you need to first obtain an “exemplified” or “triple seal” copy of the order/judgment from the state that issued it. This is different from a regular certified copy. It requires three signatures... View More

You need to file contempt. Deliberate failure to follow a court order could cause a judge to hold him in contempt. Contempt is to secure future compliance with an order -- so yes, the court can actually make him follow it. Or face severe consequences up to and including jail.

For... View More

First, if you are homeless with children the immediate need would seem to be to secure housing for your family. A variety of government and non-government agencies are available to help. The local Department of Social Services may be a good place to start, or you may want to reach out to an... View More

Yes. Both parents ALWAYS remain legally responsble to support their minor children. That legal obligation cannot be waived and "contracted" away, except through legal adoption (where another person adopts your child and you relinquish your parental rights). Absent a legal adoption, if... View More

Yes she has the right to know the precise location. If there is an emergency she needs to know exactly where the child is. Playing games about addresses never goes over well if this gets to court. Being more forthcoming and being willing to work with the other parent by giving information... View More

If you are a minor child, so you are limited in what you can do. Your father's child support arrearage is not a bar to his having primary residential custody. Judges will start to take into consideration the wishes of the minor child at around age 12, and by 15 or 16, the child's... View More

Possibly, since your spouse presumably knew when the videos were created that the video surveillance system was in place and operational, so that she cannot claim she was videotaped without her knowledge or consent, even if she forgot she was being recorded. But further legal research should be... View More

That section simply sets forth the appropriate court venue (the county or City of Baltimore) where a suit may be filed for various types of actions. In the case of a custody matter, that Section states, "[T]the following actions may be brought in the indicated county: ... (5) Action relating... View More

You file in the Circuit Court for the county (or City of Baltimore) where you and the child currently resides. However, if the child is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court because he has reached the age of majority (18-21 years old) and has not otherwise been declared mentally... View More

Any criminal charges will show up on a background check and Maryland Judiciary Case Search. It certainly could affect your employment if you are convicted depending on the charge. You should speak with a lawyer.

Emergency custody is if the child is in danger as in out of the country or actual blood on the floor. If the child is with the father, then you can file contempt if the child is not returned at the appropriate time. If the child is with you, then you can file to modify since the father seems to... View More

You can file a petition to establish paternity. You say you're doing this for your son, but are you are really doing this for yourself? Your son has no idea that you exist or that the man he knows as his father is not his biological father. Have you considered the potential harm and... View More

Unless you had sole legal custody at the time your child was in daycare and the emails were sent, or there was some contractual agreement covering confidentiality of communications, both parents would have access to their child's records at daycare. Even then, that would not prohibit an... View More

The court can only order back child support dating back to (1) the date a petition for child support was filed in the court; or (2) in the case of an existing child support order entered in the past, back to the date child support was not paid during any eriod that the existing child support order... View More

No, you already had joint legal custody to begin with--the equal to your ex. Now, you are the sole legal guardian of your children.