Get MD CC-DRIN-050 Instruction 2011

Go to the juvenile division of the circuit court in the county in which the child resides. ... Note in the petition if there is a person -- such as the child's other parent, a guardian, a foster parent or an adoptive parent -- to whom you would like to relinquish rights. ... Attend the hearing.

In Maryland, parental rights may be terminated either involuntarily or voluntarily. There are certain circumstances that might lead a court to order a termination. ... When the involuntary termination of a parent's rights will leave a child without any legal guardians, the child may be placed in foster care.

Go to the juvenile division of the circuit court in the county in which the child resides. ... Note in the petition if there is a person -- such as the child's other parent, a guardian, a foster parent or an adoptive parent -- to whom you would like to relinquish rights. ... Attend the hearing.

A child does not really get to decide where they want to live until they are 18 and no longer legally a child. In Maryland, at age 16, a child can file a petition to change their custodial situation. However, the Court must decide whether the...

To voluntarily terminate your parental rights, you generally must get court approval. ... However, unless you want to relinquish your parental rights because someone else, such as your ex-wife's new husband, wishes to adopt the child, courts often are reluctant to allow you to sign over your rights as a father.

To win sole physical and legal custody, you must show the court that awarding you custody is in the best interests of your child due to factors such as your existing relationship with the child; stability of the home life you provide; inability of the father to meet the child's needs; father's lack of involvement in ...

Under Maryland law, both natural parents are the presumed natural custodians of their children. The law does not favor either the mother or father. The law looks at the "best interest" of the child standard when deciding on child custody and visitation. ... Custody and visitation arrangements are never permanent.

Sole custody is often only granted if one parent is deemed an unfit parent, meaning he or she is unable to care for the child's needs responsibly. Circumstances that may be grounds to find a parent unfit in Maryland include drug or alcohol dependency and/or child or domestic abuse.

A parent may be deemed unfit if they have been abusive, neglected, or failed to provide proper care for the child. A parent with a mental disturbance or addiction to drugs or alcohol may also be found to be an unfit parent. ... The best interest of the child is the determining factor.

What qualifies as an unfit mother? According to Texas law, an unfit parent is one who would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development. ... However, if there is any history of violence involving the parents, then the aforementioned presumption vanishes.

A child does not really get to decide where they want to live until they are 18 and no longer legally a child. In Maryland, at age 16, a child can file a petition to change their custodial situation. However, the Court must decide whether the...

Under Maryland law, both natural parents are the presumed natural custodians of their children. The law does not favor either the mother or father. The law looks at the "best interest" of the child standard when deciding on child custody and visitation. ... Custody and visitation arrangements are never permanent.

Take your prepared forms and filing fee to the County Clerk's Office for filing with the Court. The fee will be at least $300; if you cannot afford that, then ask the judge for a waiver. The Clerk will assist you with stamping your forms and filing them.

The notion of shared physical custody is not well defined in Maryland case law. Parents typically think of shared physical custody as 50/50 or even time with their children. ... Even when parents agree to share physical custody, it is based on a schedule that approaches, but does not need to reach 50/50.

A child does not really get to decide where they want to live until they are 18 and no longer legally a child. In Maryland, at age 16, a child can file a petition to change their custodial situation. However, the Court must decide whether the...