In today’s world, family has come to mean many things to many people. Maryland Family law has default provisions for parentage and custody, but there are also protections for alternative families that can be obtained by court order. Adoption and guardianship are the two most common ways for an adult to assume responsibility, care, and …
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In 1994, the US Congress passed a law declaring the fourth Sunday of July to be National Parents’ Day – a day to celebrate this role in the lives of children, young and old. The day is intended to recognize outstanding parents who act as role models and to promote responsible parenting. When the relationship …
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Next to child custody, splitting the property at the end of a marriage is one of the most contentious issues that come up in a divorce. Maryland divorce law on division of assets has some clear guidelines, and there are grey areas, complications, and pitfalls that need to be understood as well. Working with a …
Continue reading “Who Gets What? Divorce and Property Distribution”
When parties go to court for a family law case in Maryland, they are asking the judge to exercise power under Maryland law to make decisions about their relationship. Some of these decisions, like the designation and division of marital assets, are final (subject to appeal), but others create some future or ongoing obligation that …
Continue reading “Here’s the Order, Now What? Modification and Enforcement”
Whether it’s a divorce or a dispute between unmarried parents, child support is one of the most critical ways that Maryland Family Courts have the power to ensure children get the care they need. It is one of those terms that gets used a lot, but not everyone understands the basics of child support. Some …
Continue reading “Child Support When the Situation Has Changed”
May is National Mental Health Awareness month, and it is a great time to remember that the stressors that led to divorce, the process itself and life after divorce each offer major challenges that can impact your mental health. According to Mimi Brodsky Kress, President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Montgomery County …
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In prior posts on this blog, I have spoken a lot about narcissistic spouses, key traits, how to identify them, and what to do in advance to prepare for a divorce. In this installment, I want to talk about what happens and what to do during the divorce process when you are dealing with a …
Continue reading “Divorcing a Narcissist Spouse”
Whether a relationship has been abusive or not, the end can often bring out bad behavior in one or both of the parties. This can put the other person in danger, and it calls for proactive steps to set boundaries and deescalate the situation. A Civil Protective Order (CPO) is the procedure that allows a …
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Divorce is never easy, and it rarely occurs without hard feelings on both sides. While a divorce cannot become final in Maryland without court approval, the path to this approval does not have to be an expensive court trial. One alternative to trial is mediation between the parties. If successful, mediation can be less acrimonious, …
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Parents in Maryland are financially responsible for their children until they reach the reach the age of majority, which is 18 or if they are 18 and still in high school, until graduation. Both parents are expected to contribute to their children’s health, education, and maintenance. These responsibilities exist whether the parents are married to …
Continue reading “Child Support Laws for Maryland Parents”
