Uniform Child Custody Act Maryland

Circumstances arise where parties resident in different states have disputes over the custody of minor children. As a result of the problems most jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. The Maryland statute is found in Maryland Family Law section 9.5–101 through 9.5–318. The implementation of the Act has eroded the concept of continuing jurisdiction over child custody issues. Particularly in those circumstances where a party is seeking a modification of a prior custody award and neither party resides in Maryland. In its simplest form the Act provides that the location which provides the most convenient forum for the court to determine the issue of custody in conjunction with the residents of the children for that six-month period of time immediately prior to filing the petition seeking custody shall be considered the home state. There are exceptions in emergency circumstances and in circumstances where the otherwise home state refuses to accept jurisdiction that Maryland will step in and decide issues for the parties. If you have questions regarding custody issues in a Maryland divorce please feel free to call me. I am happy to answer your questions right over the phone at no cost to you. 1-888-760-7339.