Transitioning from an intact to a separated family poses many challenges. For the parents. And for their children. Holidays are a special challenge all their own. Time and again, I hear from Judges and Magistrates that litigating parents don’t…
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I recently had the pleasure of attending a seminar about Wisconsin’s update to its rules of practice for attorneys, allowing attorney mediators to draft settlement and other court documents. The rule went into effect July 1, 2017. Wisconsin Rul…
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Short answer: No. In Maryland, there are two types of guardianship: Guardianship of the Person; and, Guardianship of the Property. A guardian of the person is responsible for decision making about the minor child and making sure the child receives pr…
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A child’s preference is a relevant factor for the court to consider when deciding a custody arrangement (schedule and decision-making). The child’s preference is but one of many best interests factors the court is supposed to consider whe…
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In September 2017, I attended a conference at which one of the speakers said that a child who has had an opportunity to have a voice and be heard in the custody process is more likely to follow the custody order even if not the child’s desired…
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Maryland recognizes three types of attorneys who can be appointed to represent children in contested custody, access/visitation/parenting time, and domestic violence cases. All of these roles require that the attorney be appointed by court order to r…
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When a parent or spouse is determined voluntarily impoverished, the court may determine child support or alimony based upon the parent’s or spouse’s potential income and earning capacity. In Child Support Cases: Voluntary impoverishment was d…
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On September 29, the Court of Special Appeals issued an opinion about child support, focusing on the intersection of voluntary impoverishment (deliberate unemployment or underemployment to avoid paying child support) and immigration status. In short,…
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Updated: January & October 2021 Third party custody is one of the fastest developing areas of Maryland law, seeing many major changes since 2016. This series of articles explores these developments and raises questions about where this area of th…
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Summertime…A break from life as usual. So, too, for children with separated parents. Just how much depends upon you and your children. Every family is unique. So, too, the summer schedule can be. For some families, summer is an extension of the sch…
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