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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How are parents’ constitutionally protected beliefs and behaviors weighed against children’s best interests in child custody decisions? The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States’ Constitution protects against the state’s t…
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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…
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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…
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A December 11, 2017 Washington Post article, “More than 20 states in 2017 considered laws to promote shared custody of children after divorce”, states: “Now lawmakers are accelerating this trend toward co-parenting, with legislature…
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What is a Right of First Refusal for Parenting Time? It is the other parent’s right to spend time with the children if you are unavailable to be with them during your scheduled time. It obligates you to offer that time to the other parent befor…
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Parents divorce; children don’t divorce their parents. When it comes to holidays, co-parenting goes beyond keeping to the holiday schedule. Children rely on parents for help. Holidays are no different. Cooperative co-parents help children enjoy…
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Transitioning from an intact to a separated family poses many challenges. For the parents. And for their children. Holidays are a special challenge all their own. Time and again, I hear from Judges and Magistrates that litigating parents don’t…
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Prenuptial agreements often get a bad reputation. Thanks to movies and media, they’re frequently portrayed as something only the super-wealthy use or as a way to already have one foot out the door before saying “I do”. But this simply isn’t t… Read More
In the often-challenging time of a divorce, questions surrounding who remains in the family home can be both emotional and complex. In Maryland, a legal concept called “use and possession” can come into play to address these concerns. Understandi… Read More
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… Read More
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… Read More