In Montgomery County, Maryland, a parenting plan is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 (experienced interests of the child) and § 12-202 (child support guidelines). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 documented results in Montgomery County, including favorable outcomes in family law matters. A parenting plan outlines custody, visitation, and decision-making for your children.
Parenting Plan Lawyer in Montgomery County, Maryland
Under Maryland law, a parenting plan is a written agreement or court order that governs the care, custody, and visitation of minor children. The Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division) at 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850, handles all divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, and contested custody matters. Maryland offers mutual consent divorce with no separation period required if both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement resolving all issues including custody and property. For absolute divorce without consent, a 6-month separation is required. The court applies the experienced interests of the child standard under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101, considering factors such as fitness, character, stability, and the child’s preference. There is no presumption for either parent. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: May 2026 | Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly
For the official statutes governing parenting plans in Maryland, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 (Maryland General Assembly — official site) and Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202 (Maryland General Assembly — official site).
In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division), judges routinely expect parents to have a detailed parenting plan before the final hearing. We have observed that parents who present a full plan—covering holidays, school breaks, extracurricular activities, and decision-making authority—tend to receive more favorable outcomes.
- File a complaint for custody or parenting time in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division) or the District Court of MD for Montgomery County for standalone custody.
- Attend the mandatory parenting seminar (approximately $50-$100).
- Participate in mediation (costs range from $100-$350 per hour).
- Submit a proposed parenting plan detailing custody, visitation, and decision-making.
- Attend the final hearing where the court issues a parenting plan order.
- Modify the plan as needed through a motion to modify custody or visitation.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, family law matters involving parenting plans carry no criminal penalties, but failure to comply with a court-ordered parenting plan can result in contempt of court, modification of custody, or fines.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (violating parenting plan) | Civil Contempt | Up to 6 months (coercive) | Up to $1,000 | None | Modification of custody; attorney fees |
| Interference with Custody | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | Up to $500 | None | Loss of custody; criminal record |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — has handled numerous family law matters in Montgomery County, including parenting plan disputes, custody modifications, and child support cases. Our team includes Kristen M. Fisher, Former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney, who brings firsthand prosecutorial experience to family law litigation.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 documented results in Montgomery County across all practice areas, including a 95% favorable outcome rate. In one case, a client facing distribution of child pornography charges received 5 years probation with no incarceration. In another, all charges were dropped. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 2 miles from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division) at 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850, with access via I-270, I-495, and Route 355 (Rockville Pike).
Parenting plan lawyer near me Montgomery County — we serve the communities of Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parenting Plans in Montgomery County
Does Maryland require separation before divorce?
Not always. Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with NO separation period — both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement. For absolute divorce without consent, 6-month separation is required. Filed at Montgomery County Circuit Court. Circuit Court divorce filing fee: $165; service of process by sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100); certified copies: $20 each; parenting seminar fee: approximately $50-$100; mediation: $100-$350/hour; custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas (95% favorable outcome rate).
How much does a divorce cost in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Family Division) plus attorney fees — typically a flat fee or limited hourly. Contested divorce scales with complexity: custody evaluations, property appraisals, pension analysis, and trial preparation all affect fees. High-asset cases involving business valuation, stock options, or international assets require substantial retainers. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. discusses fee structure at initial consultation — (888) 437-7747, by appointment only.
How is child support calculated in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Maryland child support uses guidelines based on combined adjusted income of both parents (Family Law Art. § 12-202). The formula considers number of children, health insurance, childcare, and parenting time. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Montgomery County (191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas (95% favorable outcome rate).
How does custody work in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Maryland uses the experienced interests standard with factors including fitness, character, stability, and child’s preference. There is no presumption for either parent. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Montgomery County (191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850). Mediation often ordered for custody disputes. Mandatory parenting seminar for cases involving children. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas (95% favorable outcome rate).
What should I do if I am facing parenting plan charges in Maryland?
If facing parenting plan charges in Maryland, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Maryland law require prompt action. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 to build the strongest possible defense.
For more information about family law in Maryland, visit our Divorce Lawyer Maryland hub page. You may also be interested in our pages for Divorce Lawyer Howard County and Divorce Lawyer Calvert County.
Last updated: 2026-05-02. Verified by Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. legal team.