Relationship Contracts - A Paradigm Shift

A recent article in the New York Times, To Stay In Love, Sign on the Dotted Line, describes a more deliberate process – a written relationship contract – for what many (if not most) couples do instinctively. At its simplest, a relationshi… Read More
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Failed Legislative Effort to Presume Minimum Income for Child Support Purposes

The 2017 Maryland legislative session saw a failed effort to impose a rebuttable presumption that a parent is able to work 40 hours per week at minimum wage for child support purposes when a parent is found voluntarily impoverished. Specifically, HB1… Read More
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Bill Denying Clerks the Right to Rule on Motions Denied

The 2017 Maryland General Assembly Session saw a bill – SB378/HB1191 – which would have prevented court clerks from ruling on motions. This arose, apparently, due to a directive of the District Court of Maryland which would have allowed c… Read More
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Mandatory Continuance Bill Denied

The 2017 Maryland General Assembly Session saw, for the first time, a bill that would have made a continuance/postponement of a civil case mandatory if all parties agreed to the continuance. This would have applied to civil cases only, both at the tr… Read More
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Categories: News

2017 Legislative Derail - Best Interest & Child Advocate Attorneys as DV Petitioners

The 2017 Maryland legislative session saw an attempt to add Best Interest (“BIA”) and Child Advocate Attorneys (“CAA”) to the categories of domestic violence petitioners. Specifically, the proposed bill would have allowed BIAs… Read More
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New Law on Health Insurance & Maryland Child Support Awards

Effective October 1, 2017, a new law will go into effect, expanding the definition of “health insurance” for child support purposes. HB926 (http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/hb/hb0926T.pdf) passed the Senate unanimously and almost so in the… Read More
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Whether and When to Involve an Attorney in Mediation

Many couples choose mediation to resolve their family matters. Mediation gives you control over who facilitates the settlement discussion, over how to structure and pace the process, and – most importantly – over the outcome. Mediation can be eff… Read More
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What's in a Name? Volume 2

In the 2017 legislative session, the Maryland Generally Assembly passed into law an update to existing law on restoration to a former name in a divorce. HB793: Family Law – Divorce – Restoration of Former Name (to view the bill: http://mgaleg.mar… Read More
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Categories: Divorce

The Cost of Custody

Every client wants to know what their case will cost, whether an amicable settlement or highly contested litigation. You only control your side of things – choices you and your attorney make and how you and your attorney react to choices of the… Read More
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Fewer Firearms for Those Convicted of Domestic Violence Crimes in Maryland

While not overtly a domestic violence bill, HB294 revises Public Safety Article §5-101(b-1)(2)(i) so a person, who receives a probation before judgment for second degree assault that is a “domestically related crime” (as defined in Criminal Proc… Read More
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