Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Re: child

Sorry, that's not the law. Parents have custodial rights until a child turns 18 or is emancipated by marriage or other reasons. However, when a child turns 16, he or she may petition the court in his/her own name to change the current custody status to the other parent. Generally the court will accede to the child's wishes unless the facts indicate that doing so would not be in the best interests of the child.

If the noncustodial parent files for custody of a 13 year old, the court would interview the child and cetainly take his/her wishes regarding custody into account, but is not bound by them.