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,…
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Whether to stay in an unhappy, unhealthy relationship or breakup and move on is a tough decision. Change is hard and I’m a believer that people aren’t ready until they are ready. Even so, instead of decision through indecision, be intentional. Wh…
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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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(Or, finding the better path – a divorce lawyer’s perspective.) “Marriage Story” might more accurately (though less invitingly) be titled “Divorce Story”. It’s a tale about the divorce experience. While that…
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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…
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Part 3 This blog, the third and last in a multi-part series, considering Maryland’s trends and other states’ grounds from Part 1 and Part 2, discusses whether it is time for Maryland to overhaul its grounds for divorce. I welcome hearing from rea…
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Part 1 This blog, the first in a multi-part series, poses the question of whether it’s time to update Maryland’s grounds for divorce and starts to answer that question by looking at developments in Maryland over the last several years. We’ll th…
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Divorce invites isolation. This happens with the separation. From one home into two. From an intact marriage into two estranged spouses. From an intact family into splitting time with the children. Suddenly. This happens with extended family and frie…
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In Maryland, child custody has two main parts: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody involves where a child lives, when a child spends time with each parent, and any conditions. Physical custody is also called residential custody or pa…
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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