01 August

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HOW & WHY TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY

Establishing paternity is crucial for ensuring a child’s legal rights and access to benefits. In Maryland, paternity is not automatically assigned to fathers, even if their name is on the birth certificate. Establishing paternity provides several advantages, including access to government benefits, health insurance, family health history, citizenship, financial support, and legal rights for the father. If paternity is disputed, DNA testing can be used to prove fatherhood. The Burton Firm in Maryland specializes in family law and can help individuals establish paternity to secure these rights. Contact them for a consultation to discuss your situation and determine the best...

01 July

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HEALTH CARE COSTS IN DIVORCE

Posted by Burton Firm

in Divorce

Divorce can be a complex and stressful process, especially when it comes to health insurance. If you're on your spouse's insurance plan, you may lose coverage after the divorce, but options like COBRA allow you to stay insured for up to 36 months. The court may also require a parent to provide health insurance for their child, with costs divided based on each parent's income. Sometimes, staying separated rather than divorcing can help maintain health coverage. It's essential to consult a Maryland divorce attorney to navigate these issues and ensure your health and well-being are protected during and after the...

15 June

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GRANDPARENT & 3RD PARTY CUSTODY & ACCESS

Posted by Burton Firm

in Child Support

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 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 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 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...

16 April

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Drug Possession

Posted by Burton Firm

in Criminal Defense, Drug Possession

In the State of Maryland, a new drug possession law was recently passed. It reduced penalties and fines for illegal possession of marijuana. Under the new and current law, a person in possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana faces up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A conviction for possession of over 10 grams can result in up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Nonetheless, Maryland is still considered one of the worst states to receive a drug possession charge. The penalty for simple possession of a...

Maryland Family Law Lawyer

HOW & WHY TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY

HEALTH CARE COSTS IN DIVORCE

GRANDPARENT & 3RD PARTY CUSTODY & ACCESS

ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

ADULTERY & DIVORCE IN MARYLAND

Child Abuse & Neglect in the State of Maryland

Children of Divorced Same-Sex Parents

Identity Theft

Identity Theft Defense

Drug Possession

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