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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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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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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In the 2017 legislative session, the Maryland Generally Assembly passed into law an update to existing law on restoration to a former name in a divorce. HB793: Family Law – Divorce – Restoration of Former Name (to view the bill: http://mgaleg.mar…
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The 2017 legislative session saw only one bill concerning the Mutual Consent ground for divorce. To eliminate the requirement that both parties attend the uncontested divorce hearing. The bill failed. In the 2016 session, there was a failed attempt t…
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Short Answer: Apparently not. This post follows up on my previous post about Maryland’s Failure to Increase the Minimum Age to Marry. I first wondered about this when referred a case for settlement involving a married minor. Could the minor par…
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A number of bills did not pass the Maryland General Assembly in the 2017 session, one of which has been long in the making. SB574/HB428: Family Law – Child Conceived Without Consent – Termination of Parental Rights (Rape Survivor Family P…
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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
