Questions You Want Answered > Child Custody and Support > When may I modify child custody?
In Maryland, child custody may be modified in the event of a material change in circumstances affecting the life of the child such that it is in the child's best interest to modify the custody arrangement. Whether the court decides to modify custody is left to the court's discretion, but only after the court finds a material change in circumstances. The court is required to review certain factors to determine the child's best interest, and by entension, whether change would serve that interest. Such factors include, fitness of the parents, character and reputation of the parents, agreements between the parents, potential of maintaining family relationships, age of the child, prior abandonment of the child, prior separation from the child, preference of the child (if the child is of an age where they have enough considered reason), and opportunities for access with the child. Because any determination is up to the court's discretion, the advice of a lawyer in that court's jurisdiction is vital.
Last updated on April 6, 2011 by Karen Robbins, Attorney at Law