In any divorce matter, it is important for each spouse to consult with his or her own attorney, who will seek to protect that person’s separate rights going forward. One of the most important documents that divorcing spouses often agree to is a marital settlement agreement or “MSA.” In many cases, the…
Maryland Divorce Lawyer Blog
Maryland Court Affirms Child Support Award to Father
As many people know, divorce can be difficult. There are serious practical, emotional and financial issues for the parties to identify, weigh, and hopefully resolve as amicably and quickly as possible. Since each family is unique, with its own set of personal facts and circumstances, there is no one simple solution…
Maryland Court Reviews Father’s Efforts to Modify Child Custody Arrangement
By its very nature, divorce divides a couple. Throughout the proceedings, spouses are expected to address and resolve many emotionally charged issues, such as child custody, visitation, division of property, spousal support, and many other significant matters. While many divorce cases are fraught with contentious conduct on behalf of one…
Maryland Court Addresses Allocation of Retirement Benefits in Divorce
One of the most significant financial aspects of a divorce is the division of marital property. Under Maryland law, courts have the authority to identify marital property, assess its value, transfer ownership between the parties, and issue a monetary award in order to even out the rights of the parties.…
Case Summary: Client saves substantial money in attorney’s fees after attorneys successfully negotiate a partial Voluntary Separation and Property Settlement Agreement
Recently a potential client came to our office to discuss his options for seeking a divorce. In Maryland, there are several grounds for an absolute divorce including a one (1) year separation, desertion (actual and construction), insanity, conviction of a crime, cruelty of treatment / excessively vicious conduct, and adultery.…
Maryland Court Reviews Statutory Factors in Determining Alimony
When a couple decides to divorce, there are many important issues to address and resolve before the parties can move forward with their respective lives. Many of these matters involve important financial considerations, such as the amount and duration of alimony payments. Fortunately, Maryland law provides some guidance for courts…
Why Establish Paternity in Maryland?
When a married couple has a baby in Maryland, each person in the couple is automatically viewed as being the legal parents of the baby. They automatically have the rights and obligations of parenthood. However, when a couple is not married, only the mother is automatically recognized as a parent…
Maryland Wife Entitled to Recalculation of Pension
Calculation of pension division can be challenging. Typically a formula called “the Bangs formula” is used, but application of the formula can be complicated. In a 2010 case, a husband and wife divorced and reached a settlement agreement about all child custody, child support, and property division issues. The agreement was…
Calculating Child Support in Maryland
Parents cannot make agreements not to support their children in Maryland. Parents are legally obligated to support their child in an amount proportionate to their gross earnings. In making determinations about children and child support, the court looks at the child’s best interest. The Child Support Guidelines tell parents how…
Jurisdiction in Maryland Child Custody Cases
Who decides custody if two parents or two other people with an interest in custody of a child live in two different states? Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), a court in a child’s home state has exclusive jurisdiction to initially determine child custody. What is…