Public service is essential to Baltimore’s safety and infrastructure. However, for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other government employees, long hours and rotating shifts that come with the job can complicate custody arrangements.When your work does not fit a traditional schedule, it can raise questions about your availability, even if you are a deeply committed parent.
This article outlines how Maryland courts handle custody cases when one parent has a demanding or irregular work schedule, what obstacles these parents face, and how they can strengthen their case with the help of an experienced Baltimore family law attorney.
How Maryland Courts Approach Custody Decisions
In child custody cases, Maryland courts use the best interest of the child standard rather than favoring one parent over the other. Under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-10, judges must examine factors such as:
- Each parent’s caregiving history and the stability they offer
- How well the parents communicate and cooperate
- Each parent’s work schedule
While income and work hours are not deciding factors, courts may still consider them indirectly when evaluating a parent’s overall availability and consistency. Parents with demanding job schedules must show that their parenting plan fits their work schedule and still gives their children the consistency they need.
Why Government Jobs Create Custody Challenges
Some public service jobs involve rotating shifts or extended hours. For instance, Baltimore police officers often work weekends and nights, firefighters often stay on duty for twenty-four hours at a time, and federal employees may have to travel or relocate with short notice.
These roles are not typical, and courts sometimes question how they fit into a child’s daily life. Judges need to know who gets the child ready for school, who handles bedtime, and who manages the unexpected.
This does not mean the court will rule against a parent with a demanding work schedule. It simply means the parent needs to show how their parenting still works despite the demands of their job.
What Happens When You Get Deployed or Transferred?
Relocation is common for military and federal workers and can affect existing custody agreements. Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-106 requires parents to notify the other party and the court at least 90 days before relocating.
When reviewing a relocation request, the court will consider whether the move is in the child’s best interest and its impact on the other parent’s relationship with the child. For example, the court might approve a relocation from Baltimore to D.C. if schooling, family support, and visitation logistics remain intact.
Strategies to Strengthen Your Custody Case
To build a strong custody case, parents with demanding jobs must focus on what they can control. The following steps will help show the court that their parenting will remain steady, even with a demanding job:
Prepare a Realistic Parenting Plan
Courts prefer details over promises. If a parent’s job includes on-call duties or long shifts, they should outline exactly how they will handle parenting responsibilities.
For example, a firefighter working 24-hour shifts might present a plan that includes custody on their off days and designates a trusted family member or sitter for backup childcare.
Outline Support Systems
This might involve family members, childcare providers, or trusted friends who help when the parent is on duty. Judges feel reassured when children have a safety net.
Provide Documents from the Employer
This could include an HR letter confirming scheduling flexibility, a copy of the parent’s rotating shift schedule, or a leave approval showing support for their parenting duties.
Focus on Quality Time
Busy parents should highlight the quality time they will share with their children during their time off. Whether it is a weekly dinner or weekend outing, demonstrating consistent effort makes a huge impact.
Stay Connected and Engaged
When parents are away, phone calls, video chats, and messages can help them maintain strong bonds with their children and speak volumes to the court. Courts reward evidence of engagement with the children and cooperation with the other parent.
Why Legal Help Matters
Child custody can be more complicated for government employees with demanding jobs than for the average parent. Judges want evidence, not just emotion. An experienced family law attorney in Baltimore can help present a realistic parenting plan, gather the right documentation, and manage the case while a busy parent focuses on themself and their children.
Contact Milstein Siegel to Consult With a Trusted Family Law Attorney in Baltimore
A demanding work schedule should not put you at risk of losing parenting time. With the right legal support, your schedule becomes a factor to manage, not a reason to lose time with your child.
Milstein Siegel has helped Maryland clients in law enforcement, the military, and other demanding government jobs demonstrate to the court that they can balance parenting with public service. We help prove what matters most: that a child’s well-being is a parent’s top priority.
If you are struggling with custody as a government employee, contact Milstein Siegel to consult with a trusted family law attorney in Baltimore. Let us help protect your parenting rights and build a plan that works for your career and your children.