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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Going through a divorce is never easy. But it doesn’t always have to mean a drawn-out battle in court. In Maryland, many couples turn to divorce mediation as a way to resolve their differences without litigation. If you’re considering this ro… Read More
Child support orders aren’t set in stone. Life circumstances change, and Maryland law recognizes that adjustments may be necessary to ensure that child support remains fair and appropriate for both parents and children. If you’re wondering how to… Read More
Guide to Child Custody in Maryland: What Parents Need to Know Understanding child custody in Maryland can be confusing and stressful, especially when emotions are involved. As a parent, your biggest concern is making sure your child is safe, happy, a… Read More
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
