Category Archives: Family Law
Key Provisions of Custody Agreements in Maryland
During the process of a divorce, one of the most important considerations centers on the issue of child custody. Even after the completion of a divorce, both parents retain a duty to care for the best interests of their shared children. In order to streamline this process, the divorced parents can enter into a… Read More »
What are the Requirements for Adoption Requests in Maryland?
The legal process of adoption in Maryland involves many steps and requirements. Part of this stems from the rights of a natural parent. Absent extreme circumstances, a child’s natural parents — or their custodians or guardians — must consent to an adoption. Furthermore, the new adopting parents must go through a lengthy process to… Read More »
Paternity in Maryland Child Support Cases
Child support is an important issue for divorced or unmarried parents with children in common. But under Maryland law, it is not possible to award child support payments or other obligations without determining paternity beforehand. As a result, the issue of paternity is absolutely vital in matters of child support. In order to gain… Read More »
How Does Maryland Law Address Prenuptial Agreements?
A prenuptial agreement is a contract that future spouses execute before they get married. Most prenuptial agreements protect one spouse’s assets and property from the other spouse. If the spouses ever get divorced, a valid prenuptial agreement overrides the usual rules concerning property division. In certain cases, prenuptial agreements can dictate the future terms… Read More »
What is a Child in Need of Assistance in Maryland?
The definition of child in need of assistance (CINA) appears in Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code Section 3–801. There are two requirements under the law. First, a Maryland court can only intervene and help a child based on: Abuse — The child suffered physical or emotional abuse at the hands of a parent,… Read More »
7 Key Definitions for Domestic Violence Cases in Maryland
Domestic violence laws make it unlawful to abuse or commit other violent acts against family members. Sometimes referred to legally as domestic abuse, this offense combines certain facets of criminal and family law. To help get a firm grasp on domestic violence laws in Maryland, the following sections will define seven key terms. Abuse… Read More »
What Happens if Divorcing Spouses Cannot Agree on Property Division?
In terms of property division during a Maryland divorce, it is increasingly common for the spouses to enter into a marital separation agreement. By negotiating the exact distribution of all marital property, the spouses can avoid a potentially ugly battle in court. If the spouses cannot come to a mutual agreement concerning their shared… Read More »
5 FAQs About Alimony in Maryland
The following sections will provide answers to five frequently asked questions about alimony in Maryland. What is the Purpose of Alimony in Maryland? Alimony is a type of spousal support payment that is available during and after divorce. These support payments are designed to address economic imbalances between the divorcing spouses. On a larger… Read More »
7 Grounds for Absolute Divorce in Maryland
Under Maryland Family Code 7-103, there are several grounds for which a Maryland court may declare an absolute divorce and dissolve a valid marriage. The following sections will provide an overview of seven different grounds for absolute divorce in Maryland. Adultery A Maryland court may declare an absolute divorce based on adultery. The faithful… Read More »
6 Variations of Child Custody Arrangements in Maryland
Child custody is an important consideration for unmarried parents and divorced couples. If either parent can obtain sole custody, then they have the power to control most aspects of their children’s lives. To understand the boundaries of this legal issue, the following sections will explore six concepts involved in child custody arrangements in Maryland…. Read More »
