01 September

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UNMARRIED COHABITANTS BENEFITS

In Maryland, married couples, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, receive full legal benefits. However, for unmarried cohabitants, benefits depend on specific laws and situations. If an unmarried cohabitant dies due to a work-related injury, the surviving partner may receive workers' compensation benefits if they can prove dependency on the deceased. These benefits can include unpaid disability compensation if designated in the deceased’s will or compensation for death occurring within seven years of the injury. Maryland law generally does not grant death benefits to unmarried cohabitants under federal statutes or the Social Security Act. In terms of automobile insurance, coverage for unmarried...

15 August

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WHAT HAPPENS IN A CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE (CINA) CASE?

Posted by Burton Firm

in CINA

What happens in a Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) case?

When a child is removed from their home due to concerns of abuse, neglect, or other serious issues, the Department of Social Services files a petition alleging the parents are unable or unwilling to provide proper care. The court then holds a Shelter Care Hearing to decide whether the child should remain in temporary out-of-home placement. Following this, an Adjudicatory Hearing determines if the allegations are true. If the child is found to be in need of assistance (CINA), the court may return the child to the parents, place the child under supervision, order services or assessments, or place the...

01 August

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DIVISION OF ASSETS, DEBT & PROPERTY IN A DIVORCE

Posted by Burton Firm

in Divorce

Divorce Attorney in Maryland Explains Property Division in a Divorce

According to Maryland state law, the division of marital property in the case of divorce must be equitable, meaning it must be fair, not necessarily equal. Some couples are able to come to an agreement about how everything should be divided without legal intervention, and are able to submit an agreement for court approval. Others need the help of a divorce attorney in Maryland or mediators to assist in the negotiation of a settlement....

15 July

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MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Support

Child support in Maryland is designed to ensure that every child in the state receives adequate financial support, whether the parents are legally separated, divorced, or if they never married in the first place. Support generally takes the form of payments from the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent. The custodial parent is defined as the parent who provides the majority of the care to the child, and this means that the parent who has been awarded a greater share of custody in divorce proceedings, will generally be the one receiving the support payments. Child support payments typically continue until...

01 July

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CHILD CUSTODY INTERSTATE JURISDICTION ISSUES

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Custody

Although the Uniform Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) was designed to resolve any complexities between states, if you find yourself in the middle of an interstate child custody dispute, contact an experienced Maryland family law attorney who can help you. If the parents live in different states or nations, the first issue that must be resolved is whether the court has proper jurisdiction over the person to handle the child custody or support dispute. The UCCJEA is the law that spells out the rules for whether a state’s courts can legally decide a child custody or placement case for any...

15 June

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PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS

Posted by Burton Firm

in FAMILY LAW

Premarital agreements, also known as prenups, are legal documents signed before marriage to define how assets and responsibilities will be handled in the event of divorce, separation, or death. They’re especially common for individuals with substantial assets, children from previous relationships, or potential inheritances but can benefit anyone who prefers to control asset distribution rather than leaving it to the courts. At The Burton Firm, we guide couples in creating clear, fair, and enforceable premarital agreements, ensuring both parties feel secure and protected. Contact us today to discuss your needs with an experienced Maryland family law attorney....

01 June

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR EX-SPOUSE WON’T PAY CHILD SUPPORT

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Support

It can feel like the battle is over once the court rules in your favor regarding child support. Unfortunately, the enforcement of child support can be challenging. What is a parent to do if an ex-spouse fails or refuses to pay the child support they have been ordered to give? If you find yourself in this situation, contact a Maryland child support attorney immediately....

15 May

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WILLS & ESTATES FAQ

Posted by Burton Firm

in Estate Planning

We are not going to get into the spiritual and metaphysical on this page today, but what we can do is help you understand what happens to your personal property when you pass away. Our great country’s Constitution sets laws and regulations that create the foundation for every state’s specific laws regarding the passage of property following an individual’s passing. Each state will have a slightly different set of laws determining how property will be passed on, and the process of verifying and completing this distribution is called probate. The information below is a great starting point in the process...

01 May

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ETHNICITY IMMIGRATION & CHILD-CUSTODY

Posted by Burton Firm

in Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between household members involving physical harm or sexual assault. It can be between spouses, former spouses, those in or formerly in a dating relationship, adults related by blood and those who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship. Domestic violence, beyond just being physically abusive, is also psychological. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse and isolation to coerce and control the other person....

15 April

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GUARDIANSHIP & CUSTODY IN MARYLAND

Posted by Burton Firm

in Guardianship

A legal guardian is someone that takes over day-to-day decision making and control of the child that the natural guardian cannot. The legal guardian will make all parenting decisions including requesting and accepting medical treatment on a child’s behalf, enroll the child in public school in the guardian’s community and provide for the child’s general welfare. Keep in mind this does not include financial responsibility as this still remains with the parents but depending on the parent’s situation, guardians often provide financial support. It’s always best to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you with your specific case....

Maryland Family Law Lawyer

UNMARRIED COHABITANTS BENEFITS

WHAT HAPPENS IN A CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE (CINA) CASE?

DIVISION OF ASSETS, DEBT & PROPERTY IN A DIVORCE

MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT

CHILD CUSTODY INTERSTATE JURISDICTION ISSUES

PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR EX-SPOUSE WON’T PAY CHILD SUPPORT

WILLS & ESTATES FAQ

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ETHNICITY IMMIGRATION & CHILD-CUSTODY

GUARDIANSHIP & CUSTODY IN MARYLAND

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