Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Limited Divorce vs. Absolute Divorce in Maryland
There are two different types of divorce in Maryland — limited divorce and absolute divorce. While many characteristics and requirements are the same for both types of divorce, there are notable differences between these legal devices. Limited Divorce in Maryland As established in Maryland Family Code 7-102, a state court can declare a limited… Read More »
How Does Maryland Law Address Different Types of Robbery?
There are four types of robbery in Maryland — robbery, armed robbery, carjacking and armed carjacking. While these four crimes have similar roots, the incarceration periods change dramatically based on the circumstances of the offense. In order to gain a firm grasp on this type of criminal offense in Maryland, the following sections will… Read More »
How Does Maryland Divide Marital Property During a Divorce?
When a married couple goes through the formal divorce process in Maryland, the court decides on a fair and balanced “equitable distribution” arrangement for property division. This is different from the “community property” approach in certain U.S. states — where the court simply divides all of the married couple’s assets in half. In Maryland,… Read More »
Emergency Child Custody Orders in Maryland
Whatever the individual circumstances of a child custody dispute, Maryland law prioritizes the best interests of the child or children involved. When there is an emergency or other dangerous situation which presents a threat to a child, then the Maryland courts have the power to intervene to protect the child or children involved when… Read More »
What is the Maryland Approach to Alimony?
In the process of completing a divorce, a Maryland court may decide to award alimony from one spouse to the other spouse. A type of support payment, a court usually awards alimony to address an imbalance of earning power and/or resources between the spouses. Regular alimony payments can help a spouse rehabilitate, recover and… Read More »
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Maryland
In modern times it is increasingly common for spouses to enter into a prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. In most cases, these agreements serve to protect the finances of one or both spouses. To provide a broad overview of this topic, the following sections will break down important characteristics of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements under… Read More »
Maryland Laws and Penalties for Marijuana Possession
Outside of certain exceptions for medicinal use, marijuana possession remains an illegal activity in Maryland. While the penalties for illegal possession of marijuana are not as harsh compared to other controlled substances, it is a crime nonetheless. In order to avoid a criminal record and even jail time, it is crucial to understand the… Read More »
Void and Voidable Marriages in Maryland
The topic for examination today centers on a commonly misunderstand section of Maryland family law – void and voidable marriages. As the following sections will explore, void and voidable marriages are not considered legal marriages. Under certain conditions, a court of law may declare such marriages invalid. Void Marriages in Maryland Void marriages are… Read More »
How Does Maryland Deal with Child Support?
First established in 1990, the state of Maryland instituted guidelines to ensure that divorced or separated parents are responsible for child support. The standard formula involves a calculation of each parent’s gross income. To help understand the landscape of child support in Maryland, the following sections will provide an overview of general rules for… Read More »
What is the Difference Between DWI and DUI in Maryland?
Today the subject for examination involves the difference between the Maryland crimes of driving while impaired (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI). The following sections will explore the laws and penalties in Maryland for DWI and DUI. What is the Definition of DWI in Maryland? Under Maryland state laws, it is unlawful to… Read More »
