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Divorce can be overwhelming, stressful, emotionally draining, long, and expensive. But while separating from your spouse will never be an easy or happy process, the right divorce attorney can make certain that it goes as quickly, smoothly, and economically as possible. At Ruben Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping our clients transition to the new chapter in their lives as efficiently and undramatically as allowed, all while making certain that you get what you deserve under the law when it comes to property division, alimony, child support, and child custody.
A stellar Baltimore divorce lawyer in Maryland should partner with you, learn your story, know your needs, and fight hard for what you are owed under the law as you end your marriage. We are here to support you, help you know your rights, and ultimately start your new life financially secure and with the people that you love. To learn more about our family law services, please contact us today online or call our offices.
As of October 1, 2023, we only have 3 grounds for divorce in Maryland.
1) Mutual Consent
2) Irreconcilable Differences
3) Six Month Separation
AFTER October 1, 2023, the court can grant a divorce on the new grounds of 1) six-month separation, if the parties have lived separate and apart for six months without interruption before filing the divorce or 2) irreconcilable differences based on reasons stated by the person asking for the divorce. IMPORTANTLY, and signaling a HUGE change in Maryland law, the new law specifies that parties who have pursued separate lives may be deemed to have lived separate and apart for purposes of the grounds of six-month separation even if the parties reside under the same roof. In other words, WITHOUT PROVING FAULT, as long as you live "separate lives" for more than six months, you can file for and obtain a divorce. This is great news for divorced people who are in financially or physically abusive relationships and have no way out. Now they have a way out.
Child custody in Maryland begins with the idea that any decisions made about the child's life should be in the child's best interests. In part, this involves the idea that a child is often best off when in contact with both parents.
Legal custody refers to the ability to make decisions for your child or children. A court can grant sole legal custody or joint legal custody. The most important consideration by the court regarding legal custody is whether or not the children's parents can effectively make decisions together. If not, one parent may be awarded sole legal custody.
Physical custody is simply a term that describes who the child stays with at a particular time. Primary physical custody generally indicates that the child will stay with one party most of the time, especially during the school year, while seeing the other parent less frequently. Shared physical custody means that the children will move between the parents somewhat equally.
Whatever the custody in your case, it is vital not to get caught up in labels and legal terms. Instead, speak to an attorney about your wishes and your case.
When it comes to child support, Maryland law holds that both parents are required to help financially support the child. Again, child support is determined by the courts depending on a number of different factors.
Maryland uses the Maryland Child Support Guidelines to calculate child support and they are mandatory. For a closer look at these guidelines, please check out our video.
Although no child custody plan or child support plan is permanent, it is extremely important to fight for the ideal plan for your children and your life during the divorce, both to give everyone in your family the best new start, and to try and prevent lengthy and expensive court battles in the future. An attorney can help you better understand your options under the law as well as what you should fight for in your particular situation.
In some cases in Maryland alimony is awarded in a divorce. Alimony is payments from one spouse to another that does not involve the care of children. Most types of alimony are temporary payments that help the less financially secure spouse get on their feet and find another source of income, though in some cases indefinite alimony is awarded.
Your attorney can work with you to determine whether or not spousal support is appropriate to request or offer, and if so, what the fair amount of spousal support should be.
Many people start the divorce process by searching for the best divorce attorney they can find. But in reality, you should focus on finding the best attorney for you. If you're going through a contentious, complex divorce, you may need an aggressive attorney with significant courtroom experience. If your divorce is amicable and your budget is limited, you might benefit more from an attorney with strong mediation skills. When you're choosing an attorney who fits your needs, consider asking these questions:
Also, keep in mind: meeting a Maryland divorce attorney in person for an initial consultation helps you gauge whether they’re the right fit for you.
The sooner that you can finalize your divorce, the sooner you can begin a new, fresh chapter of your life as an independent person. In addition, the fairer and more amicable your divorce, the more likely you are to start that new chapter with the resources you need and the mental health to begin again. At Ruben Law Firm, we are here to help you through this process as efficiently as possible, with all of the help and care we can give. To learn more about our legal services, to meet our attorneys, or to ask a question, please call our offices today: (410) 766-4044.
