Co-Parenting App for Maryland Parents
Court-admissible messaging, shared custody calendar, and expense tracking — built for Maryland families navigating co-parenting through Circuit Court.
2.5
divorces per 1,000 people
Circuit Court
handles custody in MD
Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-101
custody statute
Maryland custody law
Maryland courts have broad discretion in custody determinations and apply the best interests of the child standard with no statutory presumption for joint custody.
What Maryland courts consider in custody decisions
Maryland's Family Law § 9-201 (effective October 1, 2025) codifies 16 best interest factors for the first time, replacing the prior case-law framework from Montgomery County v. Sanders (1978). Key factors include the fitness of the parents, each parent's character and reputation, the ability to maintain natural family relations, the child's preference, material opportunities affecting the child's future, the child's age and health, the stability and foreseeable welfare of the child, the child's physical and emotional security, and protection from exposure to conflict and violence. The court must now articulate its consideration of each factor on the record.
How the custody process works in Maryland
Maryland custody cases are filed in Circuit Court. Under the new statutory framework effective in 2025, judges must evaluate all 16 codified factors under § 9-201 and make specific findings on the record — a significant change from the prior system where factors were established only by case law. Most jurisdictions offer court-connected mediation programs, and judges frequently order mediation in contested cases. Custody can be modified upon showing a material change in circumstances affecting the child's needs.
Key Maryland custody statutes
- Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-201
- Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-101
- Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-106
How Civly helps Maryland parents
AI-powered message rewriting
Type what you really feel — Civly rewrites it into something any Maryland Circuit Court judge would respect. Your vent stays private. Your record stays clean.
Shared custody calendar
Color-coded custody schedule synced with your Maryland parenting plan. Share a read-only link with grandparents, attorneys, or mediators.
Expense tracking with receipt OCR
Snap a receipt or forward an email. AI extracts the amount. Your co-parent approves or disputes. Everything documented for court.
Court-ready records
Every message is timestamped, SHA-256 hashed, and exportable as a certified PDF — admissible in Maryland's Circuit Court system.
Pricing comparison
Civly
$59/year
- AI message rewriting
- Custody calendar
- Expense tracking
- Court-ready exports
- Free attorney portal
OurFamilyWizard
$240/year
No AI. Manual entry. Documentation only.
Frequently asked questions
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Cities in Maryland
Civly serves co-parents across Maryland. Find local court info and resources for your city.