Domestic violence and child custody are two of the most emotional and contentious issues that can adversely affect a family, especially tweens and teens. On Wednesday, November 17, the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) will host a statewide conference titled “Promoting Safety and Rights for the Hidden Victims of Domestic Violence: Children, ‘Tweens and Teens.” The day-long event in Linthicum Heights features a number of speakers discussing the effects on teens of witnessing domestic violence.
Without a doubt, domestic violence dramatically alters a young person’s growth, and the legalities involved can be confusing. You may be wondering what rights you have under Maryland State law if you have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and are dealing with a child custody situation.
Maryland Family Law Code 9-101.1(b) states that “the court will consider abuse by a parent against the child’s other parent, the abuser’s spouse, the child, or any other child in the household” when determining what type of custody situation is in the best interest of the child.
For more than 20 years, I’ve been helping to protect the rights of adults and children involved in Family Law issues. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at meflynn@andalmanflynn.com or 301-563-6685.
Mary Ellen Flynn, Esq.