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, 2022 is the...
Legislative News
Maryland Child Support Guidelines Updates – Combined Income of $15,001-$30,000/month 2022
UPDATE: During the 2021 Session, the Maryland General Assembly changed the effective date of this law change from October 1, 2021 (as originally passed in the 2020 Session) to July 1, 2022. 2022 will see 5 major changes to the child support guidelines, one of which...
Maryland Child Support Guidelines Updates – Updated Economic Data 2022
UPDATE: During the 2021 Session, the Maryland General Assembly changed the effective date of this law change from October 1, 2021 (as originally passed in the 2020 Session) to July 1, 2022. 2022 will see 5 major changes to the child support guidelines, one of which...
Maryland Child Support Guidelines Updates – Shared Physical Custody 2020
For child support purposes, “shared physical custody” is the minimum number of overnights a parent must have in order for the number of overnights to be included in the child support guidelines calculation. Shared physical custody child support is typically lower...
Maryland Child Support Guidelines Updates – 2020 & 2022
UPDATE: During the 2021 Session, the Maryland General Assembly changed the effective date of this law change from October 1, 2021 (as originally passed in the 2020 Session) to July 1, 2022. The 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly saw several major...
What Does Maryland’s Updated Law on Extraordinary Medical Expenses Really Mean for Families?
Effective October 1, 2019, Maryland's law on "extraordinary medical expenses" changed. The law (and these updates) is found in Maryland Annotated Code, Family Law Article §§12-201 and 12-204. "Extraordinary medical expenses" are part of Maryland's child support law....
2019 Maryland Family Law Legislative Developments
2019 Maryland Family law legislation that passed into law & that failed and will not become law.
2018 Maryland Family Law Legislative Preview
On January 10, the Maryland General Assembly begins its 2018 legislative session. The Maryland State Bar Association's (MSBA) Family and Juvenile Law Section Council's (FJLSC) Legislative Committee actively monitors family law and related legislation, testifies in...
Marrying Minors – More than Meets the Eye
Legal Background: Currently, Maryland Family Law Article §2-301 allows minors to marry under the following circumstances: A 16 or 17 year old, either: With the parents’ or guardians’ consent and swearing that the person is aged 16 or older; or, Without consent, but...
Amber’s Law – Electronic Monitoring & Notice to Victims of Offender’s Proximity to Stay Away Locations
While not obviously a domestic violence law, Amber's Law (HB1163) implements procedures enabling a victim to request reasonable safety protections for herself and her family upon finding of probable cause and before the arrest warrant issues. The safety protections...
Maryland’s Commission on Child Custody Decision Making – Legislative Standstill 3 Sessions After
In March/April 2016, I co-authored an article about the Commission and the need for a child custody statute: The Commission on Child Custody Decision Making: From Theory to Practice (note, link takes you to MSBA's website to download the article). So, won't repeat...
Growing Support for Same Sex Marriage, But Why is Same Sex Adultery in Doubt?
A recent Pew Research study shows that support of same sex marriage is at an all time high. So, why is there still doubt in Maryland about whether a divorce can be granted based upon same sex adultery? Because that's what we Maryland lawyers were taught. But, the law...