Often, a Parenting Plan will include much more detail and guidance for the parents to follow into the future, as opposed to a custody order issued by the Court. A Parenting Plan is an agreement reached by both parents as a result of having discussions and negotiations regarding what is in their children’s best interests. […]
We Weren’t Married. Can I Still Get Support and Custody?
Yes, both child custody and child support can be resolved by the parents either outside of Court, using mediation, attorney-represented negotiation, or Collaborative Practice, or by filing court litigation. The laws that apply to child custody and child support are applied in the same manner regardless of whether the parents were married, or not.
How Does a Court Divide Property and Debt?
The answer to this question depends upon how the property is titled, and the nature of the property itself. For example, real estate in which the family resided during the marriage, which is often referred to as the “marital” or “family” home, if titled in both parties’ names is typically either sold and the net […]
What Are Grounds for Divorce in Maryland?
The Maryland court may decree an absolute divorce on the following grounds: adultery; desertion, if: (i) the desertion has continued for 12 months without interruption before the filing of the application for divorce; (ii) the desertion is deliberate and final; and (iii) there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor […]
How Is Child Support Determined in Maryland?
Child support can be simpler to calculate if the parents’ combined incomes total $180,000 per year or less. In those circumstances, the parties’ gross incomes are used to calculate the child support guideline worksheet, along with other factors such as work-related child care costs, health insurance premium costs, and support paid for other children from […]
How Is Spousal Support Determined in Maryland?
Spousal support, or alimony, is determined by analyzing the factors which are set forth in the Annotated code of Maryland, Family Law article, section 11-106: the ability of the party seeking alimony to be wholly or partly self-supporting; the time necessary for the party seeking alimony to gain sufficient education or training to enable that […]
How Much Support Can I Receive from My Spouse or the Child’s Parent?
Spousal support is called alimony, and support for a child is called child support. Various factors play a part in determining how much alimony or child support will be received. These factors may include the incomes of the spouses, the financial needs of the parties, the financial needs of the children, any special or unique […]
What Is the Difference Between a Legal Separation and a Divorce?
A legal separation is achieved by both parties terminating their cohabitation with one another by one or both parties moving to new residences, in addition to the termination sexual relations with one another. The need for a legal separation in Maryland has become less important in Maryland as a result of our somewhat recently implemented […]