Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

In Maryland, a 17 year old doesn't want to live with his custodial mother anymore. Parents were unmarried so custody automatically went to the mother and she only filed for child support from the father. Can the 17 year old go with the father without having to go through the court system?


Asked on 5/18/15, 4:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

If the mother has legal custody the father and son will have to file a petition to modify, but at that age the son's wishes will most likely be granted. At 18 of course he's an adult so can live wherever he chooses, and child support ends then unless he's still short of high school graduation, in which case it continues until he graduates or turns 19. By the way, custody doesn't "automatically" go to an unmarried mother, although in practice that's usually the case, especially for newborns or infants.

Read more
Answered on 5/18/15, 7:26 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Maryland