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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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…
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If you’re wondering why there’s no discussion of COVID on my site, that’s because what I’ve written on this topic appears on my firm’s – Joseph, Greenwald & Laake’s – website. Well, look no further… Here’s a quick index so…
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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 i…
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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 severa…
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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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Rule 9-205 Introduction The new year brings with it new and updated Rules of Civil Procedure in Maryland’s child custody cases. Starting January 1, 2020, for cases filed on or after that date and “insofar as practicable” to all cases pending th…
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Rule 9-204.2 Introduction The new year brings with it new and updated Rules of Civil Procedure in Maryland’s child custody cases. Starting January 1, 2020, for cases filed on or after that date and “insofar as practicable” to all cases pending…
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Rule 9-204.1 Introduction The new year brings with it new and updated Rules of Civil Procedure in Maryland’s child custody cases. Starting January 1, 2020, for cases filed on or after that date and “insofar as practicable” to all cases pending…
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Adult guardianship is a legal arrangement that is intended to protect individuals who cannot care for themselves or their property. It grants legal decision-making authority to another individual (the “guardian”) who is authorized to make decisio… Read More
Watching the physical or mental health of a parent or other loved one deteriorate can be heart-wrenching. Beyond the emotional toll, it can be difficult to know whether your loved one needs help managing finances, healthcare, or other daily responsib… Read More
Child support payments ensure that children receive the financial resources they deserve to have a healthy, stable, and supported childhood, regardless of whether their parents live together. Child support covers the cost of essential items like food… Read More
Family law cases often involve some of the most sensitive and complex issues that can arise in court. Disputes over custody, property division, or financial support can turn on highly technical or specialized questions. Expert witnesses might be thou… Read More