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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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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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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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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A child’s preference is a relevant factor for the court to consider when deciding a custody arrangement (schedule and decision-making). The child’s preference is but one of many best interests factors the court is supposed to consider whe…
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In September 2017, I attended a conference at which one of the speakers said that a child who has had an opportunity to have a voice and be heard in the custody process is more likely to follow the custody order even if not the child’s desired…
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Maryland recognizes three types of attorneys who can be appointed to represent children in contested custody, access/visitation/parenting time, and domestic violence cases. All of these roles require that the attorney be appointed by court order to r…
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Updated: January & October 2021 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 th…
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Summertime…A break from life as usual. So, too, for children with separated parents. Just how much depends upon you and your children. Every family is unique. So, too, the summer schedule can be. For some families, summer is an extension of the sch…
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Divorce litigation is rarely simple. The emotional stakes are high, the facts are often complicated, and the courtroom can be unpredictable. But having the best chance to achieve your goals at trial almost always comes down to the same thing: prepara… Read More
When an adult becomes unable to make decisions for themselves or a disabled child reaches the age of majority, families often face emotional and legal uncertainty. Whether because of illness, injury, or disability, it’s not unusual that the need fo… Read More
What Maryland Litigators Need to Know When a divorce involves significant wealth, everything becomes more complicated— especially property division in divorce. Maryland’s equitable distribution model gives the court discretion to divide marital a… Read More
In Maryland, remarriage directly affects alimony – but how it affects things depends on whether you receive or pay alimony. Maryland law has clear rules about when alimony stops after remarriage and other life changes. Careful consideration nee… Read More
