Custody laws?
Anyone know custody laws or have experience with custody in MD?
For context- unmarried couple but dad is on the birth certificate and we did do a verification of paternity.
I work a very demanding and stressful job and on paper make more money than dad. I worry if I take him to court I’d have to pay child support and/or lose custody or not get what I want.
Dad works for himself at home (on paper he’s pretty much stay at home dad) and is the caretaker when I’m at work. Thing is I’m a teacher and when I’m off of work dad is “off” of taking care of baby. Worry he would manipulate into he’s the sole caretaker.
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Why are u even considering custody r
Yall cant do shared custody?
I dont have a judgement, but because this was a concern of mine: I was told that who physically cares for the child more and has more financial burden. So even though you work/make more, if youre paying at least 50% of babys needs and at least have them half the time, i doubt you'd get the short end of the stick.
Of course things can vary based on the details
if I were you I would reach out to a legal advocate or family lawyer ! - a mom who’s been through custody in MD
Usually in Maryland custody and child support are two separate things. Yes, if you earn more you may very well owe him child support. However, that does not mean you would lose any custody. Who spends the most time with the child is not a determining factor and working outside the home is not viewed as abandoning your child.
With you making more money and the father appears as the main caretaker. You would be paying child support. Not only that but with him working for himself judges don’t look at what he actually make they look at what he makes after write offs so he can make it look like he only makes 10k a year or less. He definitely has the ability to make it appear he is sole caretaker while you provide and can use that to his own ability to get more physical custody
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