» Frequently Asked Questions

(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… Read More

“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… Read More

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… Read More

When it comes to where a child of separated parents lives, the child’s schedule for spending time with each parent, and decision-making about a child, the guiding principle is the child’s best interests. In settlement, this means the parents put… Read More

Divorce is a globally traumatic experience. For spouses over the death of their relationship. For parents and children over the unraveling of their family, structure, responsibilities, and routines. For their extended families, friends, and community… Read More

In almost every divorce case, I'm asked, "When can I start dating?" Read More

In 2015, the Maryland General Assembly added “Mutual Consent” as a ground for absolute divorce. Mutual Consent requires that: (i) the parties do not have any minor children in common; (ii) the parties execute and submit to the court a wri… Read More

When it comes to where a child of separated parents lives, the child’s schedule for spending time with each parent, and decision-making about a child, the guiding principle is the child’s best interests. In settlement, this means the pare… Read More