Maryland Family Lawyer

Whenever the law interacts with your relationships, you need to talk to a lawyer before you move forward. For example, before getting married, you need to understand how to protect yourself when entering into this legal partnership. A prenuptial agreement can save you money and heartache later and can help ensure your business and income does not end up in the hands of your ex. If you share a child with someone, a lawyer’s help regarding custody, access, visitation, and child support matters will sure your child is taken care of, and legal assistance during these times of need can help you to move through the process quickly and land on firm financial footing.

There are 15 Titles in Maryland’s Family Law Code. Each of the different titles has details about the obligations and benefits provided by the law’s recognition of your relationships. The job of a Maryland family lawyer is to help you understand how the law applies to you and to help you make sure you put the law to work for you. Your lawyer can do everything from negotiating or reviewing a separation agreement to handling custody issues and to aggressively fight on your behalf in a litigated divorce.

Types of Domestic Cases

Are you facing a legal issue related to an intimate relationship? Marriage, separation, divorce, child custody, child support, division of marital property are among the many formal legal arrangements that people use to organize their family life. If you need help understanding the laws applicable to your rights and obligations with respect to your family, a Maryland lawyer can provide the assistance you need.

Family Laws and Regulations in Maryland

In Maryland, the Family code addresses:

• Paternity proceedings: According to Maryland Family Law Code Section 5-1010, a mother can file a paternity proceeding in simple, non-technical language in order to compel testing to determine if a man is a child’s father.
• Child custody and visitation: A best interests of the child standard is used. Section 9-101 outlines when visitation or custody can be denied on the basis of abuse or neglect.
• Grandparents’ visitation rights: Section 9-102 indicates a court will allow a grandparent reasonable visitation rights if the grandparent petitions the court and if it is in a child’s best interests.
• Child Support: Standard guidelines are established in Sections 12-201-12-204, which apply in almost all separations or divorces to ensure all children receive a fair amount of support from both parents.
• Alimony or spousal support: Information on when spousal support is required, either on a temporary or a permanent basis, is found in Title 11. The length of the marriage, income, and skills of each party are considered.

These are just a few of the many different sections of Maryland law that a skilled attorney can explain regarding the rights of individuals and families.

Schedule a Consultation with a Maryland Family Attorney

Family laws in MD aim to protect children from abuse, to ensure children are raised by parent(s) who provide the most stable environment, and to ensure children receive financial support from both parents. The law also protects spouses from suffering lost quality of life due to a divorce and protects spouses and intimate partners from abuse. It’s important for you to know the law during each of these periods of time in your life.

Even the most intimate relationships, like those between spouses or between parents and children, are relationships affected by state law. Let a lawyer help you to understand what this means to you. Call a Maryland family lawyer today to learn more.