Child Custody & Support –  What Parents Need to Know

Child Custody: Focusing on the Best Interests of the Child

Child custody refers to the legal and practical arrangements regarding where a child will live and how major decisions about their upbringing will be made. Courts in MD and DC generally consider various factors when determining custody, always prioritizing the child’s best interests.

Custody is typically divided into:

• Legal Custody – The right to make significant decisions about a child’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being.
• Physical Custody – Where the child primarily resides and how parenting time is shared between parents.

For families with demanding careers, complex travel schedules and/or cultural and religious practices/backgrounds, customized custody solutions can help ensure that children maintain strong relationships with both parents while accommodating unique lifestyle needs.

Child Support: Ensuring Financial Stability for Your Child

Child support is designed to ensure that a child’s financial needs are met after parents separate. The amount is generally determined based on various factors, including parental income, the child’s needs, and parenting time arrangements.



Additional financial considerations may come into play, such as private education, extracurricular activities, healthcare, and future financial planning. A well-structured support arrangement ensures that a child’s quality of life remains stable, even as family dynamics change.

How We Can Help

At The Law Office of Cherise L Williams, we assist parents in understanding their options for custody arrangements and financial support structures that align with their child’s well-being and family circumstances. We help craft solutions that balance parental responsibilities, financial commitments, and long-term stability, always with the child’s best interests in mind.