When a couple divorces, one partner may need to provide financial support to the other. This support (called alimony) helps the lower-earning partner transition to life after divorce. In Maryland, the process of determining alimony can be complex. Th…
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If you and your spouse have been considering divorce, it’s important to understand the recent updates to Maryland’s divorce laws. Changes that went into effect last year have made the process more straightforward, providing clearer options for co…
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As lively as the 2022 Maryland General Assembly was with so many bills, few family law bills passed. Below is an update about those bills which may be relevant to your practice or impact your family. Bills in italics passed. The rest did not. May 31,…
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What is AA v. Ab D? AA v. Ab D is a 2020 Court of Special Appeals opinion involving these important concepts in child custody cases: The court’s obligation to children when deciding child custody. Children’s rights to have their best interests fu…
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November 17, 2021, and its Breona C. v. Rodney D. decision from the Court of Special Appeals, may mark the end of contempt as a meaningful tool for seeking compliance with child custody orders. The case involved a constructive civil contempt action f…
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Since writing my series on Maryland Third Party Custody, and in particular in Consent, De Facto Parents & Multi-Parent Families, a major development occurred in July 2021. The Court of Appeals, Maryland’s highest Court, issued EN v. TR, reviewi…
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Whether to stay in an unhappy, unhealthy relationship or breakup and move on is a tough decision. Change is hard and I’m a believer that people aren’t ready until they are ready. Even so, instead of decision through indecision, be intentional. Wh…
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(OR Questions (Mostly) Unanswered) Updated October 2021: This series discusses: What is Third Party Custody? What’s a De Facto Parent? Exceptional Circumstances Unfit Parents Participating as a Third Party in a Custody Case Step-Parents De Fact…
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“Parents and grandparents do not stand on the same legal footing with respect to visitation.” Brandenburg v. LaBarre, 193 Md.App. 178 (2010). Third party custody is one of the fastest developing areas of Maryland law, seeing many major changes si…
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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 the law is heading. This series discus…
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Family law cases often involve some of the most sensitive and complex issues that can arise in court. Disputes over custody, property division, or financial support can turn on highly technical or specialized questions. Expert witnesses might be thou… Read More
Divorce litigation is rarely simple. The emotional stakes are high, the facts are often complicated, and the courtroom can be unpredictable. But having the best chance to achieve your goals at trial almost always comes down to the same thing: prepara… Read More
When an adult becomes unable to make decisions for themselves or a disabled child reaches the age of majority, families often face emotional and legal uncertainty. Whether because of illness, injury, or disability, it’s not unusual that the need fo… Read More
What Maryland Litigators Need to Know When a divorce involves significant wealth, everything becomes more complicated— especially property division in divorce. Maryland’s equitable distribution model gives the court discretion to divide marital a… Read More