“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Or is it? For many families, particularly those dealing with separation and divorce, this is not always the case. The holidays can bring a lot of emotion to the surface, especially when there are children involved. Divorced parents often feel increased pressure to make the holidays “perfect”…
Being a parent is tough under any circumstances. When you have a child with someone whom you are no longer in a relationship with, due to separation, divorce or any other reason, it adds an additional layer of difficulty. Co-parenting and sharing time with the child can often prove to be a challenge, even…
Is the award of alimony affected by adultery in Maryland? Unfortunately, this is a common question with an answer that is sometimes surprising. If you’ve recently discovered that your spouse has been cheating on you, you may assume that this information would give you the upper hand in a divorce. However, this is not always…
Many people are shocked at how quickly the expenses can add up when going through separation and divorce. In large part, this surprise is often a result of unrealistic expectations. Whether due to not asking the right questions, talking to the wrong people, or relying too heavily on the internet for information, the ultimate result is…
Currently, the most common grounds for divorce in Howard County, Maryland is 12-month separation. Under Maryland divorce law, parties must live apart and maintain separate residences for at least one year before filing for divorce. As part of this requirement, if the parties spend even one night together or resume marital relations at any point…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…