Alimony & Property Division

Maryland and Virginia Alimony & Property Division

Protecting Your Financial Future During and After Divorce

Divorce isn’t just an emotional transition – it’s a financial one. Questions about spousal support, division of assets, and long-term financial security often create uncertainty for both spouses. At The Burton Firm, we guide clients through every stage of Maryland and Virginia alimony & property division with clarity, fairness, and compassion. Our goal is to help you protect what you’ve worked hard to build while ensuring a stable future for you and your family.

We proudly serve clients in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, including Fairfax County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Charles County, Calvert and the Metro D.C. area, providing knowledgeable representation in even the most complex divorce and financial matters.

Understanding Alimony (Spousal Support) in Maryland

Alimony — also known as spousal support — is financial assistance that one spouse may be required to pay to the other during or after divorce. Its purpose is to ensure that both spouses can maintain reasonable financial stability as they transition to independent lives. Maryland and Virginia courts evaluate many factors to determine whether alimony should be awarded and in what amount.

As an experienced Maryland and Virginia family law firm, we help clients understand their rights and obligations regarding alimony and spousal support. We advocate for fair outcomes that reflect the realities of your marriage, your earning capacity, and your contributions – both financial and non-financial — to the relationship.

Types of Alimony in Maryland

Maryland recognizes several forms of alimony, each designed to meet different needs:

• Pendente Lite Alimony — Temporary support awarded while a divorce case is pending.
• Rehabilitative Alimony — Short-term support that allows a spouse to gain training or education to become self-sufficient.
• Indefinite Alimony — Long-term or permanent support awarded when one spouse cannot reasonably support themselves due to age, health, or economic disparity.

Whether you’re seeking or contesting alimony, we help you prepare a strong, evidence-based case that supports your position and protects your financial interests.

Division of Marital Property

Maryland and Virginia follow the principle of equitable distribution — meaning marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally. Property acquired during the marriage (with limited exceptions) is subject to division by the court. Our firm helps clients identify, value, and divide assets fairly, whether through settlement negotiation or litigation.

We handle all aspects of division of marital property, including:

• Real estate and family homes
• Bank accounts and investments
• Retirement plans and pensions
• Business ownership interests
• Debts and liabilities

Our team works closely with financial experts when needed to ensure that asset valuations are accurate and that settlement terms are practical and enforceable.

Retirement Assets and Long-Term Planning

Retirement accounts and pensions often represent a significant portion of marital wealth. Dividing these assets requires careful legal and financial planning. We assist clients with retirement assets in divorce, including 401(k)s, IRAs, military pensions, and government retirement plans.

Factors the Court Considers

In determining alimony and property division, Maryland and Virginia courts may consider:

• Length of the marriage
• Contributions (financial and non-financial) made by each spouse
• Standard of living during the marriage
• Age, health, and earning capacity of each spouse
• Marital misconduct or grounds for divorce
• Future financial prospects and needs
• How specific assets were acquired

We carefully present the facts of your case to ensure the court has a complete understanding of your financial picture and personal contributions to the marriage.