Howard County family lawyer
Family law can be incredibly complex and emotionally taxing, but our Howard County family lawyer is here to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Mr. Coover handles a variety of cases, from divorce to guardianship. Regardless of the situation you are in, trust Coover Law Firm, LLC to fully represent your interests and values. Call today at (410) 553-5042 to schedule an initial consultation.
Services provided by our family law attorney
At Coover Law Firm, LLC, we strive to be a trusted partner in your family law case. From start to finish, you can expect comprehensive legal services tailored to your unique situation.
Legal advice and counsel
We are here to be your legal advisor and counselor as you make decisions about your case. When you first meet with Mr. Coover, he will provide an objective assessment of your situation and discuss potential strategies for achieving a favorable outcome.
Representation in Court
While some family law cases can be settled out of Court, many require litigation. If your case needs to go to Court, Mr. Coover will be your advocate and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Negotiation and mediation
Our Howard County family law attorney is an experienced negotiator and mediator. If your family law issue can be resolved through out-of-Court methods such as negotiation, Mr. Coover will work with you and the opposing party to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.
Document preparation
Document preparation is a major component of many family law cases, and Mr. Coover can handle it with ease. He will ensure all documents are legally sound and accurately reflect your wishes.
Advocacy for client’s rights
Whether he is negotiating, mediating, or litigating on your behalf, Mr. Coover will be an unwavering advocate for your rights and best interests. If anyone attempts to violate your rights during the legal process, he can explain your options and help you take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation.
Alternative dispute resolution
In addition to negotiation and mediation, our family lawyer is trained in other forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration and collaborative divorce. If any of these approaches are appropriate for your situation, he can lead the process and keep it as stress-free as possible.
Family law is more than divorce
While many family law firms concentrate exclusively on divorce cases, our family lawyer recognizes the importance of handling a variety of family law issues. Howard County families face many legal challenges beyond divorce, and the outcomes of these cases can be just as life-altering.
Whether you are concerned about your relationship with your children, facing a dispute over guardianship, or need help navigating the divorce process, Coover Law Firm, LLC is here for you. Divorce is just one piece of the family law puzzle, so we make sure that we approach each case with the same level of commitment, attention, and care.
Types of family law cases
Coover Law Firm, LLC is proud to handle the following types of family law cases in Howard County and beyond.
Divorce
A divorce could be settled in a matter of weeks, or it could take many months to work out all the details. Whether your divorce is simple or complex, it is crucial you have an experienced Howard County divorce attorney representing you throughout the entire process.
In Maryland, you may be granted an absolute or a limited divorce. Certain conditions must be met for either scenario. For an “immediate” absolute divorce, you must have no fault-based grounds. Otherwise, you must separate for one to two years for a full divorce to be granted. During that separation, a limited divorce may be granted.
Paternity
If the question of a child’s parentage is unsettled, the issue may warrant a paternity proceeding. A child’s father has a legal right to participate in custody and visitation where applicable, and a legal obligation to financially support his children.
Children can also benefit from knowing their legal father in many ways, including knowing their medical history and securing the right to inherit or obtain certain government benefits, such as social security or veteran’s benefits.
Genetic testing is only one way in which parentage may be determined. As a family law litigation firm, Mr. Coover represents parties seeking to establish or challenge paternity and resolve related matters.
Child custody
Child custody can easily become one of the most bitter aspects of a divorce and legal separation. In general, custody can be divided into legal and physical custody, as well as sole and joint custody. The parent with legal custody determines where the child will go to school, their doctor, their religious affiliation, etc. Physical custody indicates where the child will live.
A parent may have sole physical or legal custody, or one or both aspects may be shared with joint custody. The Court will decide on custody matters based on the best interest of the child. If sole physical custody is awarded, visitation will also need to be addressed by the Court.
Child support
Whether one parent has physical custody or joint physical custody is ordered, child support will likely still be a factor that needs to be considered. Maryland uses a specific formula to determine which parent will need to pay child support, and how much will be paid (use our child support calculator for MD). Once the Court finalizes its decision, it can generally only be amended under specific circumstances.
There are a variety of factors that go into determining child support payments. These include each parent’s income, healthcare expenses, childcare expenses, and more. It is important to note that, even if you never married the child’s other parent, you may still be liable for child support.
Property division
Family law in Howard County, MD, and throughout the state mandates that property division be handled equitably. This means both parties may not get a 50/50 split of property bought or acquired during the marriage. Courts determine property division based on any number of factors, such as financial needs and length of the marriage. Both debts and assets are distributed fairly in a divorce.
Normally, separate property (such as property owned before the marriage or an inheritance) is not divided between parties. However, if those assets become commingled, such as an inheritance being put in a shared bank account, it could be split between the spouses.
Guardianship
When the parents of a minor cannot care for their child, whether due to death, incarceration, institutionalization, or incapacity, the Court will step in and appoint a legal guardian to take on that parental role.
The guiding force behind the Court’s decision is what is in the child’s best interests. If you are a grandparent or other family member or interested party, we can help you prove your case to become a child’s guardian or challenge the appointment of someone else you believe is unfit.
Benefits of working with a Howard County family law attorney
There is no legal matter quite as personal as a family law issue. When your family’s future is in the hands of an imperfect Court system, a single misstep can have lasting consequences.
That is why it pays to have a dedicated legal representative in your corner. With a qualified family law attorney on your side, you will have a trusted advocate who is looking out for your well-being at every turn. From the first consultation to the final Court appearance, you will be kept informed and empowered to make the best decisions for your family.
To add to your peace of mind, a family law attorney like Mr. Coover can ensure that your case continues moving forward at a favorable pace. Family law cases involve extensive paperwork and filings that can be difficult to make time for as a busy parent or working professional, and a lawyer can help keep things on track, freeing up your time for other matters.
What to look for when hiring a family lawyer
The quality of your family law representation can make or break the outcome of your case. If your prospective lawyer displays any of the following qualities, it is worth considering their services:
- Compassionate yet direct communication style
- Willingness to explain the law in terms you can understand
- Extensive experience in a range of Howard County family law cases
- Active role in local, state, and national attorney organizations, including the Howard County Bar Association
- Strong negotiation skills and a willingness to advocate for you in Court when necessary
- Positive reviews and testimonials from former clients
When you turn to Coover Law Firm, LLC in your time of need, you will find all of these qualities and more. With over 35 years of experience providing exceptional legal services to our community, Mr. Coover has precisely what it takes to help you craft a brighter future for your family.
Other areas we serve
Coover Law Firm, LLC is here to provide comprehensive legal assistance and representation unparalleled by other firms.
Mr. Coover serves clients throughout Howard County, but is also experienced in:
- Serving as a family law attorney in Columbia, MD
- Serving Frederick County as a family law lawyer
- Serving Carroll County as a family law lawyer
- Serving Anne Arundel County, MD as a family law attorney
Contact a Howard County family law attorney today
Whenever you need legal help for a divorce or other domestic law matters, Mr. Coover is here for you. In Howard County and the surrounding areas, contact Coover Law Firm, LLC today by phone at (410) 553-5042 or online.