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GRANDPARENT & 3RD PARTY CUSTODY

Maryland Family Law Attorney

When courts need to make a decisions about child custody or visitation, the court balances what is best for the child with what a parent’s constitutional right is in regards to how the child should be raised. There are a variety of factors the court will look at including the role of any other party such as grandparents. Maryland law allows grandparents to ask the court for visitation rights and even custody rights. If you are trying to get visitation rights for your grandchild, make sure to contact an experienced Maryland family law attorney who can help you with your...

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CHILD SUPPORT, ENFORCEMENT & CUSTODY

FAMILY LAW LAWYER MARYLAND

Child support is a court-ordered payment requiring the noncustodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent. Typically for ordinary expenses of food, shelter, clothing, education and medication needs for the children only. In 1990, Maryland passed a law requiring the courts to use child support guidelines in all child support cases. The guidelines provide a formula to calculate your child support obligation....

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WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY

Maryland Family Law Attorney

Although Maryland law regards wills and powers of attorney as separate documents, both create rights and responsibilities for different parties. Both create a mechanism for one person to legally act on behalf of another and both have specific provisions under Maryland law that they must meet to be valid.

A will is a legal document that describes how the person drafting the document wants to have their assets and property disposed of when he/she dies. The will appoints an executor who distributes the assets on behalf of the decedent. If someone dies without a will, they are considered intestate and Maryland...

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LEGAL GUARDIAN IN MARYLAND

Family Law Attorney in Maryland

A guardian is someone appointed by the Court to assume legal responsibility for another person or another person’s property, or both. Guardianship is appropriate and necessary when an individual is not capable of making their own decisions in society. Three examples are:

  • Minors – Individuals who are under the age of 18
  • Mentally Disabled – Individuals who have been diagnose and treated for mental disability
  • Elderly – Certain elderly individuals can be classified as unable to care for themselves, and will therefor require a guardian
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CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATIONS

ince 1990, Maryland has used a very particular child support calculator to determine the amount to be paid. The guideline is designed to estimate the percentage of income that parents would spend on children if the parents were living in the same household. The formula begins with each parent’s actual monthly income. If a parent is not working and has no other form of income, the court can still assign income if it finds that the parent has the ability to work. Additionally, each parent’s actual or assigned income can sometimes be reduced by the parent’s other child support or alimony obligations...

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DESERTION AS A GROUND FOR DIVORCE

Divorce Lawyer in Maryland Explains Desertion as a Ground for Divorce In order to file for divorce in the state of Maryland, several requirements must be met. Unlike no fault states, Maryland requires a specific reason for divorce. If the married couple lives apart for 12 or more months before filing for divorce, this “fault” requirement is waived. Additionally, at least one spouse must be a Maryland resident for at least one year before filing for the divorce. Divorce can be a pretty tricky subject, especially with multiple variables involved. It’s always best to consult a divorce lawyer in Maryland to...

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DIVORCE & SEPARATION IN IMMIGRATION STATUS

A divorce or separation can definitely affect your lawful status and ability to stay in the U.S. if you are in the country on a visa that was granted based on your spouse’s application. If you used your spouse’s status to immigrate within two years of your marriage, you are a conditional resident, and therefore getting a divorce or separation will affect your status. Additionally, divorce or separation may affect your status if your status depends on your spouse’s status. ...

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ADOPTION IN MARYLAND

In the State of Maryland, “adoption is the creation of a parent-child relationship by a judicial order between people who are not a natural parent and a child” (The people’s Law Library of Maryland.) Under the law, once the court orders an adoption, it ends the parental rights and responsibilities of the natural parents. Any adult who is not the natural parent may petition the court for an adoption. The petitioner may be single or married and is required to complete a 27-hour home study course. Maryland law also requires that the legal guardians of the person to be adopted consent...

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MARYLAND FAMILY LAW, DIVORCE, LEGAL SEPARATION, ANNULMENTS & CUSTODY

An annulment is a decree establishing that the marriage between two parties never existed. The Maryland Family Court is dealt with deciding the validity of each annulment case and infrequently grants annulments. If the court decides to grant the annulment, it is considered that you and your spouse were never married. If you are seeking an annulment, it is advisable for you to speak with an experienced Maryland family law attorney at The Burton Firm. The standard of proof that must be met to prove an annulment is difficult to meet, but we are very familiar with the Maryland Family...

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MARYLAND MILITARY DIVORCE

When a couple decides to end their marriage and one spouse is serving in the military, divorce tends to get even more complicated. Make sure to contact an experienced attorney to help you calculate child support, determine child custody, divide retirement benefits and figure out the other complications....

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