Howard County, MD Family Lawyer
Family law can be incredibly complex and emotionally taxing. Our Howard County family law team is here to help. We handle a variety of cases, from divorce to adoption to guardianship. Regardless of the situation you’re in, trust us to represent your interests and values fully. Call us today at 410-995-1100 to schedule an initial consultation.
Our family law practice areas include:
Divorce
Depending on the nature of your divorce, it 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’s crucial you have an experienced attorney representing you through the entire process.
In Maryland, you may be granted an absolute or a limited divorce. There are certain conditions that must be met for either scenario. For an “immediate” absolute divorce, you must have fault-based grounds for it. 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 need to be determined in a divorce or paternity proceeding. A child’s legal 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. We represent parties seeking to establish or challenge paternity and resolve related matters.
Child Custody
Child custody can easily become 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.