Towson Maryland Law Blog

It is a sad reality that domestic violence and abuse is far too common in America, and Maryland is not immune to these types of situations. Every couple has their problems, but there is simply no place for violence in a home. When a domestic violence situation in Maryland does arise, people need to know that they are not without options.

For starters, those who have been the victim of domestic violence will likely want to take appropriate action. In many situations, that might mean pursuing a restraining order, which is also commonly referred to as a "protective" order. Such an order, issued by an appropriate court, is intended to prevent the subject of the order from contacting the alleged victim in any way, including by phone, email or in person.

Child custody issues can be some of the most heart-wrenching disputes in family law courts in Maryland. Whether the couple is married and going through a divorce, or if they were never married to begin with, sometimes in these types of disputes it can be easy to lose track of the idea that what the parties are really fighting over is what they believe is best for the child at issue. So, how do you know who will get custody of the child in one of these disputes?

Unless there are extreme or unusual circumstances, family law courts typical default to both parents having legal custody of the child, which means they will both have some input into the major decisions that will impact the child's life, such as where the child will attend school or church, or what type of medical care the child will receive. So, oftentimes these disputes are about who will get "physical" custody of the child and who will have visitation rights.

When a marriage reaches a breaking point, it can be the hardest decision in your life to file for divorce. However, in many cases, pursuing a divorce can leave both spouses better off afterward. After all, staying in a relationship that is not as rewarding as it used to be can seem like a drag on your entire life.

But, for many Maryland residents, the divorce process may be perceived as difficult, time-consuming and expensive. While it is certainly true that some divorces result in all-out litigation in a courtroom, many other divorce cases will settle out-of-court via direct negotiations or even through the use of the mediation process. From the get-go, having the right information about options in your unique case is what allows a Maryland resident to make the right decision.

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?