15 June

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GRANDPARENT & 3RD PARTY CUSTODY & ACCESS

Maryland Family Law Lawyer - The Burton Firm

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is special, but in Maryland, grandparents face significant legal challenges when seeking custody or visitation rights. Maryland law does not give preference to grandparents over other third parties, and there is no legal entitlement for grandparents to have custody or visitation. However, grandparents can petition for reasonable access, but they must prove that the parents are unfit or that extraordinary circumstances exist, such as abuse or neglect. Grandparents can seek court intervention through guardianship, custody, or visitation. The court considers various factors, including the well-being of the child and the circumstances of the parents....

15 May

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MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Support

In the State of Maryland, you should file your complaint for child support in the county that is the domicile of the child. A child’s domicile is the place where the child has his or her true, fixed and permanent home. In Maryland, the equity court has continuing jurisdiction over the support of the child. It is not required for the parties to be married for the court to grant child support payments. Furthermore, support can be sought not only by the birth parent, if he or she has legal custody, but also by the guardian of the child....

15 November

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ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

Posted by Burton Firm

in Divorce

In Maryland, adultery is considered both a civil and criminal offense, though prosecutions are rare. Adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone of the opposite sex. If a married person engages in sexual relations with a same-sex partner, they may not be guilty of adultery but could be charged with constructive desertion, which is also grounds for divorce. Other grounds for divorce in Maryland include a 12-month separation, imprisonment, incurable insanity, and cruel treatment. While individuals can represent themselves in divorce cases, it is advisable to consult a lawyer to ensure all legal rights...

01 October

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“POWER OF ATTORNEY” IN MARYLAND

Posted by Burton Firm

in Power of Attorney

Granting a Power of Attorney (POA) in Maryland is an important legal decision that allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf. There are several types of POA, including General POA for broad authority, Limited POA for specific matters like health care or finances, and Durable POA, which remains effective if you become incapacitated. Maryland requires you to fill out specific forms, such as the Personal Financial POA or an Advance Directive for health care. It’s essential to carefully review these forms with your agent and consult an experienced family law attorney to ensure your interests are protected....

01 September

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ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

Posted by Burton Firm

in Divorce

DIVORCE LAWYER IN MARYLAND Infidelity can ruin a marriage, leaving one partner feeling betrayed and insecure When adultery is a cause for divorce, the injured party will likely desire some sort of return for the emotional damages caused by their partner. Make sure to contact a divorce lawyer in Maryland if you are considering divorce because of adultery. Divorce in Maryland Maryland is a state which requires sufficient “cause” for divorce. This means that the individual filing for divorce, often referred to as the plaintiff, must have a specific reason to request a divorce. Sufficient causes include but are not limited to: Infidelity Desertion ...

15 July

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MARYLAND MASTERS SYSTEM

Posted by Burton Firm

in Masters System

In Maryland family law cases involving child custody, visitation, support, or alimony, you may have to appear before a master, a hearing officer who takes testimony and makes preliminary rulings. Masters submit their recommendations to a judge, who has the final say. There are two types of masters: standing and special masters. They are involved in various domestic cases, including uncontested divorces and support modifications. Given the significant role of masters, consulting an experienced attorney can be crucial in navigating your case effectively....

15 February

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Child Abuse & Neglect in the State of Maryland

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Abuse

Child abuse and neglect cases involve serious risks to a child’s safety and often require legal action. CAPTA defines abuse as actions or inactions resulting in harm or serious risk. States establish civil statutes to guide mandatory reporting and criminal statutes to prosecute offenders. In Maryland, when a child is removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, social services may file a Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) case. This process involves hearings to determine the child’s needs and decide on appropriate care, such as supervised parental care, foster care, or placement with relatives. Regular Permanency Planning Hearings ensure...

01 August

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Children of Divorced Same-Sex Parents

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce

Since same-sex marriage is legal in the state of Maryland, it is important to understand the nuances and issues that could arise from divorce of same-sex marriage, including that of children. A child born or conceived during a marriage is presumed to be the legitimate child of both spouses, not just the spouse who gave birth to the child. In the past when a same sex couple adopted a child in the state of Maryland, only one of them actually adopted the child from the agency, country or service because two people without a legal tie to one another are...

15 January

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Identity Theft

Posted by Burton Firm

in Criminal Defense

Recent identity theft statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, claim that 9.91 million Americans were identity theft victims and have experienced losses totaling $52.6 billion. These statistics show that identity theft occurs much more often than the average person assumes. Under Maryland’s laws, it is a crime to possess or obtain a person’s personal identifying information, including their name, address, social security number, bank account number, or credit card number, without the person’s permission in order to use the information to obtain credit or goods or services. It is considered identity theft or identity fraud. Identity theft is a...

01 June

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Identity Theft Defense

Posted by Burton Firm

in Criminal Defense, Identity Theft Defense

Recent identity theft statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, claim that 9.91 million Americans were identity theft victims and have experienced losses totaling $52.6 billion. These statistics show that identity theft occurs much more often than the average person assumes. Under Maryland’s laws, it is a crime to possess or obtain a person’s personal identifying information, including their name, address, social security number, bank account number, or credit card number, without the person's permission in order to use the information to obtain credit or goods or services. It is considered identity theft or identity fraud. Identity theft is a...

Maryland Family Law Lawyer

GRANDPARENT & 3RD PARTY CUSTODY & ACCESS

MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT

ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

“POWER OF ATTORNEY” IN MARYLAND

ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

MARYLAND MASTERS SYSTEM

Child Abuse & Neglect in the State of Maryland

Children of Divorced Same-Sex Parents

Identity Theft

Identity Theft Defense

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