There is probably not a more important, or emotionally-charged, issue in separation and divorce than that of child custody. Custody involves not only the amount of time that each parent gets to spend with his or her children; it also encompasses the right to make major, life-shaping decisions for the children. Certainly, this is not…
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In recent years, it has become a trend to see frequent child support modification requests filed. Sometimes, these requests truly are driven by a belief that the financial circumstances of one, or both, of the parties have changed. However, the unfortunate truth is that, perhaps even more frequently, the true motivator is ongoing animosity between…
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FILING TAXES AFTER DIVORCE OR SEPARATION: WHO GETS TO CLAIM THE KIDS? When two parents are married and file a joint tax return, both claim the children as dependents and both benefit from the exemption. However, when filing taxes after divorce, the former spouses no longer have the option of filing a joint tax return.…
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Divorce vs. Mediation – And the Winner is… If you are seeking information regarding the pros and cons of divorce mediation in Maryland, chances are that you’re hoping to end your marriage as quickly and inexpensively as possible. While most people understand the role that a divorce lawyer plays in the divorce process, many…
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If a divorcing couple owns real estate together, once the divorce is final and their title of Tenants by the Entirety is dissolved, the question then becomes – “Can creditors place liens or judgments against the home due to debts of the former spouse?” In short, the answer is yes. What does the term Tenants…
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(Columbia, MD) After retiring, many people take out reverse mortgages in order to use the equity in their homes to provide additional income to live on in retirement. While a seemingly simple and straightforward concept, the decision to take out a reverse mortgage can have catastrophic consequences if not handled properly. What is a Reverse…
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Under Maryland law, retirement plans are considered marital property while Social Security benefits are considered non-contractual benefits and thus non-marital property. Previously, Social Security benefits could not be distributed or assigned in a divorce proceeding but could be utilized to pay child support and alimony. In Jackson v. Sollie, a trial judge of the Circuit…
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Permitting Underage Drinking Just Became More Costly For the last two decades in Maryland, it has been considered a crime for adults to allow underage drinking in their homes. But, in the past, the Court of Appeals has been reluctant to hold third parties (such as bar owners) legally accountable for intoxicated people’s actions. However, on July 5th, the highest…
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Maryland’s Highest Court Overturns 2008 Decision Regarding the Parental Rights of a De Facto Parent (Columbia, MD) A de facto parent is a person considered by the court to have assumed the role of parent to a non-biological child. To qualify as a de facto parent, the person must prove that they have lived with, raised…
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The Impact of Rising Health Insurance Costs on Child Support For most people, health insurance is a significant expense. For some people, including many separated/divorced families already struggling to maintain the expenses of two households, health insurance payments can be financially crippling. So, what happens to child support in the event that this large expense becomes even larger?…
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