Generally, when spouses have decided that the marriage is over, they do not waste any additional time debating the issue – they want to file the paperwork immediately. This is certainly understandable, as filing for divorce and obtaining the final divorce decree will mean that both spouses can move on with their lives. Still, your Towson divorce lawyer will tell you that it is important for parting couples to give serious thought to the timing of the divorce for a number of reasons.
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Unfortunately, when parents make the decision to go their separate ways, a myriad of issues can arise, particularly with respect to child support and custody. Depending on how well the parents are able to communicate and get along throughout the separation or divorce process, determining how much time each parent should be able to spend with their kids could be an area of serious contention.
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When it comes to the payment of child support in Maryland, the law is clear: Parents who are capable of earning income and contributing to the support of their child or children must provide such support. Still, there are occasions when a parent will attempt to avoid his or her financial obligations to the child by quitting a job or taking a job that is well below his or her capabilities and/or normal pay grade. This is where a discussion of voluntary impoverishment becomes necessary.
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Many parents who have decided to go their separate ways are often faced with a battle related to child support. There are a number of factors taken into consideration prior to the court ordering a parent to pay a certain amount of child support. But is there ever a point at which a parent could be made to pay too much child support?
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Individuals who are going through a divorce are often faced with many issues that must be resolved before the divorce can be finalized. These issues can range from visitation (if there are kids involved) to alimony payments, depending on the circumstances. Many people assume that when it comes to alimony, the length of time that alimony must be paid is usually not longer than the length of the actual marriage. But in Maryland, is that really the case? One Maryland case dealt with that question, among others. Let’s take a brief look at Malin v. Mininberg.
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Throughout the years, there has been much discussion about the burden of proof a domestic violence victim must meet to get a final court order of protection. For years, Maryland has required victims to provide the judge with proof or evidence that is “clear and convincing” with respect to the allegations made against the accused individual that he or she committed any one of the many prohibited acts under the domestic violence laws.
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If you or your spouse has filed for divorce in Maryland, one of the next things to take place in the process will be a scheduling conference. The court will send notice about the conference to the divorcing parties; however, many people express great concern when they get the notice -- primarily because they do not know what occurs at such conferences.
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There are any number of reasons why an individual would want to have public records sealed. In cases involving criminal issues, it is not uncommon for the accused party to seek to have his or her records closed to the public. But what about in cases involving family law--particularly divorce cases? Can divorce records be sealed?
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Many people believe that if they are fortunate enough to find love twice in their lives, they need to take full advantage of it. That said, many individuals who have previously been married and divorced will not say no to marriage when (and if) the opportunity presents itself again. In fact, many divorced individuals are often quite excited at the prospect of getting another chance to get things right the second time around.
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There are times in child custody cases (or contested child support cases) when the judge handling the case may decide to appoint an attorney for the child being discussed. At other times, the judge might actually decide to speak to the child one-on-one. Your Towson family law attorney knows that depending on the specifics of the case, the judge might select an attorney for the child to serve as either a best interest attorney, child advocate or a child privilege attorney.
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