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.

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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.

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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:

1. A temporary restraining order
2. Ano contact order
3. Summary eviction of the abuser from the home
4. Use and possession of the home
5. Custody of the children
6. 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.