Finding the right Westminster family lawyer can feel overwhelming. You want legal counsel with the skills, empathy, and determination needed to handle your situation effectively, especially since you are probably experiencing many emotions. Whether you are facing a divorce, child custody dispute, child support issue, or even something positive like an adoption, you need credible legal representation.
They should thoroughly understand the potential legal complexities, empathize with your emotional state, and tirelessly fight on your behalf. Learn about how an attorney can assist you during a consultation.
Dissolving a Marriage
Many people seek legal assistance to help end a marriage for various reasons, including cheating and domestic violence. However, marriages can dissolve for other reasons, like partners falling out of love or finding themselves incompatible.
As of October 1, 2023, Maryland has three grounds for divorce, all of which are “no fault” grounds. Importantly, that does not mean that issues that have arisen in your marriage are irrelevant for consideration in a divorce. The three possible grounds include:
- Mutual consent
- A six-month separation
- Irreconcilable differences
To establish jurisdiction, a party to the case must have resided in Maryland for six months prior to the filing of a matter. If children are involved, they must also have resided in Maryland for six months prior to filing, unless there is emergency jurisdiction. A Westminster family attorney can inform an individual filing for divorce if the exceptions apply to their case.
Understanding Child Custody and Support
Biological parents and adoptive parents have the right to file for custody or child support and are obligated to provide for their children. The law does not give preference to the mother or the father unless a parent’s rights have been terminated. Instead, the court considers the child’s best interests when making custody decisions.
Custody involves two main components: legal custody and physical custody. The court typically favors granting parents equal legal custody of their child, which gives both parents the authority to make critical life decisions for their child, provided that the parents have the ability to communicate effectively in the child’s best interest. That said, there is a long list of factors outlined in Maryland case law that must be considered in making a legal custody determination. The same is true for physical custody decisions, which are made based upon an assessment of multiple factors, as outlined by Maryland law.
When determining custody, the court may review the following:
- The child’s age
- The child’s health needs
- Potential domestic violence
- The parents’ financial status
- The child’s relationship with the parents
Although a parent’s financial situation may influence custody decisions, child support is calculated according to income-based guidelines. A family law attorney in Westminster can help you build a compelling case while ensuring your parental rights are upheld throughout the process.
Retain a Westminster Attorney for Assistance With Family Disputes
While you may know people who have needed a family attorney, you may not fully understand the legal process. The role of a Westminster family lawyer is to educate you about your legal rights, explain available solutions, and help craft a strategy to achieve your goals.
It is also crucial for you to approach the situation rationally and realistically. Your legal counsel can advise you to exercise logic rather than emotion due to the long-term effects of those decisions. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
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