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… Read More
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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,… Read More
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Categories: News

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. T… Read More
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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 articl… Read More
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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 we… Read More
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Categories: Divorce, News

Failed Legislative Effort to Presume Minimum Income for Child Support Purposes

The 2017 Maryland legislative session saw a failed effort to impose a rebuttable presumption that a parent is able to work 40 hours per week at minimum wage for child support purposes when a parent is found voluntarily impoverished. Specifically, HB1… Read More
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Bill Denying Clerks the Right to Rule on Motions Denied

The 2017 Maryland General Assembly Session saw a bill – SB378/HB1191 – which would have prevented court clerks from ruling on motions. This arose, apparently, due to a directive of the District Court of Maryland which would have allowed c… Read More
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Mandatory Continuance Bill Denied

The 2017 Maryland General Assembly Session saw, for the first time, a bill that would have made a continuance/postponement of a civil case mandatory if all parties agreed to the continuance. This would have applied to civil cases only, both at the tr… Read More
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Categories: News

2017 Legislative Derail - Best Interest & Child Advocate Attorneys as DV Petitioners

The 2017 Maryland legislative session saw an attempt to add Best Interest (“BIA”) and Child Advocate Attorneys (“CAA”) to the categories of domestic violence petitioners. Specifically, the proposed bill would have allowed BIAs… Read More
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New Law on Health Insurance & Maryland Child Support Awards

Effective October 1, 2017, a new law will go into effect, expanding the definition of “health insurance” for child support purposes. HB926 (http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/hb/hb0926T.pdf) passed the Senate unanimously and almost so in the… Read More
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