Under Maryland law, custody of a minor child is defined in terms of legal custody ; physical custody ; sole custody ; shared custody and joint custody . When making a custody determination, Maryland judges and magistrates apply a legal standard known as the child s best interests and determine where the residence of the…
Separation and Divorce can often become an extremely heated process. Perhaps your spouse’s violent or threatening tendencies are what led to the separation, or perhaps these behaviors arose only after you began the process of separating from or divorcing your spouse. One thing is certain: you are protected under the law from being abused, threatened,…
A recent case has followed an example set by a Maryland court, and brings renewed attention to the question of what should happen to frozen embryos where the creating couple has split. The most recent case involves a woman, Karla Dunston, and her then-boyfriend, Jacob Szafranski, who agreed to create and freeze embryos when Dunston…
Battles over child custody are difficult for all parties involved, but they can be especially punishing for the children. In cases of shared custody arrangements, following these basic guidelines to keep your children out of the fight between you and your spouse will help you protect their happiness and well-being as much as possible. 5 Ways to…
The Aftermath of Divorce: Is it Time to Relax? Your divorce is finalized. Congratulations! You are likely mentally, emotionally (and perhaps financially) exhausted. You need “down time” – everything but work and the kids can wait, right? However, in the aftermath of divorce, the best thing that you can do is KEEP MOVING. The process that…
Separation and divorce are emotionally and financially difficult for everyone involved. Feelings of grief, helplessness, vulnerability, financial devastation, and lack of control are very typical. The process is generally among the most difficult challenges a person encounters during their lifetime – and it seems to take forever to end. However, Maryland has recently made some…
Separation and divorce is very difficult – financially and emotionally for everyone involved – spouses, children, extended family members and friends. The sense of “loss” can be profound. Feelings of grief, helplessness, vulnerability, financial devastation and lack of control are very typical. The process is generally among the most difficult challenges a person encounters during…
A premarital or prenuptial agreement is almost always a good idea. Really about the only time a prenuptial agreement is a bad idea is if your partner does not want one and you try to force it on him or her. That’s not only a bad idea, but such an agreement would likely not be…
As a Howard County, MD divorce lawyer for over 30 years, I know how overwhelming the divorce process can be for families. I often get asked the same questions in my Columbia, MD, family law practice. If you are facing separation and divorce in Maryland, below is an overview of what you need to know…