Towson Maryland Law Blog

When you decided to go your separate ways, no matter how long you've been married, you likely understood that your decision would prompt changes in your life. Divorce often has a significant impact on finances, and if you have children, you no doubt want to make sure that you have all you need to provide for them.

Since Maryland, like most states, operates under equitable property regulations in divorce, it doesn't guarantee that the judge will split your marital assets 50/50. However, all family law judges must be fair when they determine who gets what and who will be responsible for debt that accrued during marriage. What if your spouse tries to hide assets?

Property division is likely near the top of the list of concerns divorcing couples in Maryland may have. It is important for divorcing couples to be familiar with how property division is handled in Maryland during divorce so they know what to expect and can protect their interests.

Property division during divorce is conducted in Maryland according to equitable property division rules. For the divorcing couple, this means that the family law court will seek to develop a property division settlement agreement that is as fair as possible to each of the divorcing spouses. This may not mean that marital property is divided in half between the couple, but it will be divided as fairly as possible between the spouses.

Not every marriage in Maryland is meant to last. When parents in Maryland decide to divorce, one of their primary concerns may be child custody and visitation. Maryland courts have a process that is followed when it comes to making child custody decisions. It is important that parents understand this process, so they can protect their rights.

The first step in a child custody case is the scheduling conference. The couple will meet with one another at the courthouse. A judge will assist the couple in identifying which issues are being contested. The judge may refer the couple to undergo mediation and the couple may need to attend a co-parenting course. The scheduling conference will also outline what deadlines will be followed in the child custody case.

When people in Maryland think of domestic abuse, they may envision physical violence. However, domestic abuse can be financial, emotional or physical in nature. Any type of domestic abuse can deeply scar a person for the rest of his or her life. Domestic violence can occur not just between spouses, but between parents and children, between family members living together and between two people who once had a romantic relationship but are no longer together.

If a person is being subjected to domestic violence or to the threat of violence, there are steps they can take to protect themselves. One step they can take is to pursue a restraining order that will prevent the abuser from contacting them or coming near them. Civil assault and battery actions may also be possible, depending on the situation. In the end, it is important that victims of domestic violence are safe from their abusers, and that those who abuse others are held accountable for the harm they inflicted on the victims.