Many divorced parents may live in different states only a few miles apart in areas such as Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. That short distance can lead to complications when one parent requires a change in a child custody agreement. The Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) guides parents. An experienced Howard…
When two people share a child, whether as a result of a relationship or not, legal rights can be difficult to determine and understand without a child custody order, especially when paternity hasn’t been legally established. Because it is an issue of grave concern, potential clients often seek counsel from Mr. Coover upon separating from…
Unfortunately, many mothers and fathers find themselves co-parenting with someone who is constantly causing problems. The source of this issue may very well be narcissism, a well-known disorder in popular culture. Narcissists may have diagnosed or undiagnosed narcissistic personality disorder, or they may simply display narcissistic traits that don’t quite meet the full criteria for…
What custody rights do grandparents have in Maryland? There is no one-size-fits-all answer as it depends on the situation. Keep reading to learn more about grandparents’ custody rights in Maryland. Then, call Coover Law Firm, LLC at (410) 553-5042 for assistance. Grandparents Are Considered a Third Party Under Maryland Law Under Maryland law, grandparents are…
A common question that we get asked early in the divorce process is: Is Maryland a 50/50 divorce state? While the question seems straightforward, the truth is that the term “50/50 divorce” requires clarification. Ultimately, the answer depends upon which issue we’re referring to: child custody or property division. Issue #1: Child Custody One area…
Understanding How to Calculate Child Support in Maryland On October 1, 2018, Maryland expanded the mutual consent divorce law to include married couples who have minor children in common. Under the new law, divorcing parents of minor children will be able to forgo the one-year separation period and obtain a divorce on mutual consent grounds as…
(UPDATED: January 15, 2019) Tax season is here, and no one wants to be on Uncle Sam’s radar. If you make a mistake when filing and claim your children as dependents when you don’t have the right to, you could very well receive a letter in the mail or, worse, a knock at the door.…
(Columbia, MD) In 2012, Maryland officially legalized same sex marriage. However, because same sex marriage was not legal across the United States, same sex divorce often proved to be extremely complicated and difficult. Certain states refused to honor divorce decrees for same sex couples, which often caused great difficulty when enforcing the terms of child custody,…
We have discussed the fact that Maryland rape victims may not currently terminate the parental rights of their attackers should that attack result in a pregnancy. New legislation is set to pass that will allow rape victims to terminate the parental rights of their attackers. The bill passed through the Senate last week with a…