When Co-Parenting Doesn’t Work…

There has been much ado online recently about successful co-parents. Shared family vacations, shared family photos, shared holiday celebrations…even matching t-shirts. This is the ideal when two parents, despite their differences, co-parent organic… Read More
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Maryland Domestic Violence Law Gets Minor - But Needed - Update

Currently, Maryland law (Family Law Article §7-301.1) makes an Interim, Temporary, or Final Protective Order granted in a domestic violence proceeding inadmissible evidence in other family law matters, such as divorce, custody, and custody modificat… Read More
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Capital Loss Carry Forwards in Maryland Divorce

When property is sold for less than the purchase price, this may result in a capital loss that can be used to offset certain types of income on future income tax returns. If not used all in one tax year, the capital loss may carry forward to be used… Read More
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Initial Consultations

An initial consultation with an attorney can feel like there is no turning back. Because, amidst the chaos of your family situation, meeting with an attorney is concrete and real. Like you’ve set something in motion. This fear can keep a person… Read More
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Maryland’s Failure to Increase the Minimum Age to Marry

Since 2016, there have been multiple failed attempts to pass legislation increasing the minimum age to marry in Maryland. The 2017 Maryland General Assembly Session was no exception. This year saw two. HB484, sought to increase the minimum age from 1… Read More
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The Value of Settlement

There are many ways to resolve a family matter, with settlement being but one. Statistically, most cases settle. Some are settlement-headed from the start, while others settle during litigation. What is a settlement? A settlement is an agreement betw… Read More
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A May 2017 Tax Court's Cautionary Lessons about Alimony and Tax Preparation Software Pitfalls

A May 2017 Tax Court Opinion reminds us that to qualify as deductible alimony (among other requirements), payment must be required by a “divorce or separation instrument”. This is defined as: – A decree of divorce or separate mainte… Read More
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A Parent's Perspective on Nesting and Practical Considerations

This New York Times piece features a parent’s perspective on nesting, 3 years down the road. Nesting involves parents separating, the children remaining in the home, while the parents rotate in and out of the home. In my experience, nesting is… Read More
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LGBTQ Children & Custody

A recent article in The Atlantic brings to mind the issues that may require an attorney (and the courts) to think differently about custody cases involving LGBTQ children. There are physical/residential custody implications if a parent and child are… Read More
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Burak v. Burak - Grandparent Custody - Court of Appeals's Oral Argument

On June 2, 2017, Maryland’s Court of Appeals (“CoA”) heard oral argument in Burak v. Burak. Video link: http://www.courts.state.md.us/…/2016/coa20170602caseno97.mp4 The CoA is considering three questions: 1) May grandparents inter… Read More
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