Category: child custody and visitation

Child custody matters are often complex and emotionally charged, as they involve determining the best interests of the child while considering the rights and responsibilities of the parents. In some cases, the concept of de facto custody comes into play, providing a legal framework to address situations where a non-parent (de facto parent) has been… Continue reading Understanding De Facto Custody and its Application in Washington, DC

In this article, the Maryland and D.C. family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Thomas Stahl discuss the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”). The UCCJEA was drafted and proposed in the late 1960s. It was officially passed by the first State in 1968 and, since then, has been enacted in the same… Continue reading What You Need to Know About the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

The answer depends on how long the child/children have lived in the District of Columbia and whether a divorce/custody case has already been filed in another State. The basic rule is that once a child lives in a State for at least six months, then that State (or D.C.) becomes the place of residence for… Continue reading If I Moved To DC From Another State, Which State Should I File For Child Custody?

If you are thinking about filing for divorce in Maryland or the District of Columbia and if you are also contemplating a move out-of-state, there are some legal and practical issues to consider. Divorces are always complicated and relocating out-of-state can make matters even more complicated. For this article, we will assume that the divorce… Continue reading Moving Out-of-State? How Will that Affect Your Pending Divorce or Child Custody/Visitation Requests?

Divorce can feel relieving significantly when you’ve been married to an abusive partner. However, when you have children and are interested in keeping the children this immensely complicates life after divorce. As parents, the court can give you joint legal custody or physical child custody. Unfortunately, neither of these custody forms are straightforward; the court… Continue reading What Prevents A Parent From Gaining Physical Custody Of Their Child(ren)

District of Columbia child custody laws hold that both parents should have frequent contact with their children. Furthermore, any DC attorney from a district court will always act in the child’s best interests. While this is the case, DC courts can also deny you both the physical and legal custody of the children. Do you… Continue reading District of Columbia Child Custody Laws

90% of custody agreements are made without the need for a court ruling. Following a divorce, the court can award custody to one parent, both, or deny visitation to the non-custodial parent. Visitation is denied by the court when the non-custodial parent poses a threat to the children. Threats include abusive behavior, drug use, or… Continue reading When Can a Custodial Parent Deny Visitation?