Divorce
Going through a divorce can be one of the most traumatic events of your life, both personally and financially. Some people believe that they cannot afford lawyers; however, put simply, you cannot afford not to have experienced, skillful Maryland family lawyers in your corner. That’s where Blackford & Flohr come in.
During this important time, you need the benefit of Maryland divorce and family lawyers who are knowledgeable, compassionate, experienced and understanding. Blackford & Flohr are family lawyers and divorce attorneys who are here to help you and your family through this difficult legal process and make your case as comfortable and quick as possible.
Call us to discuss your case: (410) 647-6677.
Maryland Family Attorney Services
Our Maryland divorce lawyers will take all of the steps necessary to foster a “civil divorce.” If the relationship between our client and the other spouse permits, our lawyers try to achieve a healthy, respectful resolution of the issues in the divorce case in an equitable and timely manner. Interestingly, our Maryland family lawyers have actually helped clients avoid divorces without the use of a prenuptial agreement; however, in most cases, the relationships have to end in divorce for one reason or another, and our Maryland family lawyers are here to help.
That being said, most Maryland divorce cases involve some degree of a fight. Our experience has run the scope of tough custody battles to amicable settlements. Each case taken by a lawyer is different, and the tone and tenor of the family law case largely depends on the parties involved. In sum, these family law cases are complex and often difficult.
Divorce Proceedings in Maryland
Filing for a limited or absolute divorce in Maryland is a serious matter. During the case, you will likely face issues concerning your family, including your children, pets, and valuable property. A divorce decree by a Maryland court effectively ends the legal bond of marriage and the legal benefits and responsibilities that come with it. This is a serious, important decision and process. Blackford & Flohr’s Maryland family lawyers are here to help you through it.
Under Maryland law, you are entitled to your fair share of marital property and family rights after a divorce. Traditionally, “marital property” means property, however titled, that was acquired during the marriage but not gifts and inheritances. During the divorce process, a Maryland judge will make a decision about how the property is divided – this is sometimes called the “equitable distribution of property.”
To be sure, “equitable” does not mean “equal,” and you need the benefit of an experienced Maryland family divorce attorney who can marshal the passion, facts and legal principles to make your best argument during your divorce. In countless cases in Maryland, one spouse attempts to take or keep family property to which they are not entitled or take advantage of the other spouse or the rest of the family. In these cases, it is essential to have Maryland legal counsel; the lawyers of Blackford & Flohr are here to help you receive the just result that you deserve and vindicate your rights.
Finally, there are technical issues concerning certain types of property like pension accounts, IRAs, retirement entitlements and other annuities where the experience of skillful divorce lawyers is essential.
If you have a family, one of the most important concerns on your mind is “What will happen to my child(ren)?” As family members and parents ourselves, our Maryland family lawyers understand how terrifying that question is. Child custody is determined according to what a judge decides is in the best interest of the child and family. Parents need experienced, passionate Maryland trial attorneys to handle these delicate matters and help you and your children through this difficult aspect of divorce. More importantly, our family lawyers work to ensure your children and family are as uninvolved as possible to avoid the long-term damage that custody battles can cause.
A Maryland child support payment from the non-custodial parent to the other for the monetary support of their children and family will usually be ordered by the court both during and after the divorce. The amount of child support is mandated by Maryland law. However, if your combined income exceeds $120,000, then a judge can make an individualized determination. You can rely on our divorce attorneys’ experience to ensure your spouse is paying/receiving their fair share of family support.
Either party in a family divorce may claim alimony, which is also called spousal support, from the other spouse. In Maryland, whether a spouse is entitled to such financial support is a decision that is based upon a variety of factors, such as the relative, respective incomes of the parties as well as the needs and resources of the parties. The fact that one party is at fault in the Maryland family divorce case does not automatically preclude an award of alimony.
There are two kinds of alimony – rehabilitative and permanent. Rehabilitative alimony, if awarded, is a payment made for a specific or limited period of time as a rehabilitative measure. This is the preferred method of alimony in Maryland. However, in more exceptional situations where a party cannot become self-supporting or the parties’ incomes will be unconscionably disparate the court may make the alimony award of indefinite, possibly permanent, duration. Spousal support determinations are complex and an attorney’s help is important to make sure your rights are protected.
An adoption is “the legal and social process involving the transfer of rights over a child from a set of birth parents to a set of adoptive parents.” In Maryland, this family decision is an important and sometimes complicated process, but is one of the most joyous times in family law. A Maryland attorney will help build a healthy family and marshal your case through the system as quickly as possible.
Domestic abuse is a quiet epidemic in Maryland. Our experienced Maryland attorneys, with the help of your local Maryland police department, will help you achieve justice and, most importantly, safety. Together we can help prevent future attacks from occurring and keep abusers away from you and your family.
Every member of your household has a fundamental and statutory right to be free from all types of domestic abuse (physical assault, sexual abuse, or threats regarding the same). Without prior notice to the abuser, a victim may petition the court to obtain immediate relief, including:
- A temporary restraining order
- Ano contact order
- Summary eviction of the abuser from the home
- Use and possession of the home
- Custody of the children
- Emergency financial assistance
Accordingly, a person facing the prospect of divorce or separation in Maryland should avoid taking any action involving a household member which might be construed as abusive, whether or not so intended, as it is typically difficult to persuade a court to change the “status quo” created by an earlier domestic violence order. To be sure, Maryland courts take the problem of domestic abuse seriously and will err on the side of caution nearly every time.
Contact Blackford & Flohr
If you’re facing the challenging process of divorce in Maryland, don’t navigate it alone. At Blackford & Flohr, our team of experienced attorneys is here to provide you with compassionate support and expert legal guidance every step of the way. From negotiating settlements to representing you in court, we are committed to protecting your rights and helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact us today at 410.647.6677 or reach us in case of emergencies at 410.215.8842. Your future and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Serving Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and the rest of Maryland.