Family law can involve many acronyms, ranging from those related to domestic violence (DVPO) to child support (CCPA.) Even if your divorce involves no children and no violence, there is an acronym that may be important to you: QDRO. QDRO stands for “qualified domestic relations order,” and is a court…
Most people probably believe that their divorce settlement agreement or judgment is the final word on the distribution of their marital assets. While that is true in many cases, it is not necessarily so. Understanding when other things may supersede your divorce agreement and dictate a different distribution scheme can…
Last fall, the legislature ushered in a major overhaul of divorce in this state. Maryland law, for the first time, allows spouses to seek and obtain divorces without proving that the other spouse was “at fault.” Maryland’s new avenues for pursuing a divorce include irreconcilable differences. The law also shorted…
Most of us have seen or heard advertisements or sales pitches imploring audiences to “act now” or that an offer is “for a limited time only.” These approaches are common in motivating prospective buyers of appliances, furniture, or vehicles to act. But what about… a spouse in a divorce settlement…
When you and/or your spouse own substantial assets, including investments, real estate, and so forth, the likelihood rises that you will need a relatively complex (and perhaps lengthy) settlement agreement. Part of ensuring that the agreement you sign is the agreement you need is ensuring that you have a skilled…
Maryland, like many states in the eastern U.S., is relatively small (ranking 42nd of 50 in land area,) meaning that anywhere in the state places you close to multiple other states. Montgomery County borders Virginia and the District of Columbia, and is less than 30 miles from West Virginia and…
Today, we’re blogging — in part — about a libel case. Not because of libel law, but because of what it says about the formation of valid and enforceable oral contracts – a legal concept that can play a major role if you (or your spouse) claim that the two…
In Maryland, one of the most essential components of a divorce is the division of assets and the biggest asset most divorcing couples possess is their home. As a result, deciding whether the marital home is a marital asset, one spouse’s separate property, or a combination of the two can…
Money is often a powerful motivator. That’s true whether you’re a parent working out a child’s allowance or a spouse-to-be working out the terms of your prenuptial (or postnuptial) agreement. In addition to arriving at terms with which both you and your soon-to-be spouse can live, making a prenuptial agreement…
A Missouri lawmaker made headlines in February for proposing a noteworthy change to the divorce laws of that state. The Kansas City Democrat’s bill would alter a five-decade-old law to ease the hurdles facing women who are pregnant and seeking a divorce there. Maryland does not have a similar law…