Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer in Maryland
How courts in Maryland decide custody, emergency custody, parenting classes, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maryland: fee rules
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee. Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610 |
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Maryland rules to know first
| How custody is decided | Custody (legal custody, or decision-making authority, and physical custody, or parenting time) is decided by the child's best interest. Factors the court may consider include stability and the child's health and welfare; frequent, regular and continuing contact with parents who can act in the child's best interest; how the parents will share responsibilities; the child's relationships with parents, siblings and others; protection from conflict and violence; the child's developmental and day-to-day needs; the child's age; any military deployment; prior orders or agreements; each parent's role; the location of each home; how well the parents communicate and co-parent; and the child's preference, if age-appropriate. The court must state its findings on each factor. No specific age is set for the child's preference. A parenting plan is required in any case involving custody of a minor child. |
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| Emergency custody | If there is an imminent risk of substantial and immediate harm to you or your child, you can ask the circuit court for emergency custody. The procedure varies from court to court, but the emergency hearing usually happens very quickly after the request is filed. Emergency custody is a temporary order, and the case continues until a final order. It is different from temporary (pendente lite) custody, which is based on the child's best interests and is requested by filing a request for hearing and an Order for Temporary Custody and Support along with a complaint for custody or divorce. Ask the clerk of the circuit court where the case is filed about its local emergency custody procedure. |
| Parenting classes | Court programs available in custody cases include co-parenting classes and mediation, along with custody evaluations and visitation services; each county has a family services coordinator who knows which programs are offered locally. A parenting plan is required in any case involving custody of a minor child. |
| Grandparents' rights | A court may consider a grandparent's petition for reasonable visitation with a grandchild and may grant visitation if it finds it is in the child's best interests. Source: Md. Code, Family Law § 9-102 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maryland State Bar Association does not make referrals itself; it says "Your county's bar association can help you find a lawyer in your area" and lists county bar numbers, including Anne Arundel (410) 222-6859, Baltimore City (410) 539-3112, Baltimore County, Carroll and Frederick (410) 337-9100, Harford (410) 836-0123, Howard (410) 313-3853, Montgomery (301) 279-9100, and Prince George's and Charles (301) 952-1440. Fees are set by each county service. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maryland Judiciary's attorney listing, drawn from its Attorney Information System, lets you search by last name (partial names allowed) and first name, with a similar-names option. An attorney listed as active is in good standing and authorized to practice; other listings may show inactive or retired attorneys, judges, or attorneys with disciplinary or administrative actions affecting eligibility. Questions: Supreme Court of Maryland Clerk's Office, 410-260-1500. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Maryland lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission's Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read the instructions, complete and print the Attorney Complaint Form (English or Spanish), and mail it to the Office of Bar Counsel, 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions: (410) 514-7051 (staff cannot discuss complaint details by phone). Public sanctions and actions affecting licensure are posted on the Commission's website. Sanctions: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance/sanctions |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.