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FAMILY LAW

THE BURTON FIRM > FAMILY LAW

UNMARRIED COHABITANTS BENEFITS

Maryland Family Law Attorney - Unmarried Cohabitants Benefits in the State of Maryland

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...

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PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS

Maryland Family Law Attorney

The world we live in currently is in stark contrast to the one our parents grew up in, and one of the biggest changes in American society has been scene in the institution of marriage. Less people are getting married, those marriages aren’t lasting as long, and the divorce rate has skyrocketed. In this age of divorce, a formerly obscure legal document, the premarital (prenuptial) agreement, has come into almost standard use....

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QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATION ORDERS

Maryland Family Law Attorney

During divorce, assets, properties and debts are divided between the two parties. It can be quite complicated to separate two lives that have been entangled for multiple years, even more so for relationships that lasted decades. Besides physical property and basic finances, many assets may be on the table for sharing or forfeiting when spouses divorce. Additional assets that may be involved in a divorce is a pension or retirement plan. The state of Maryland permits retirement assets to be transferred from one spouse to another during divorce which a Maryland family law attorney can explain more depending on your...

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MARYLAND PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

Maryland Divorce Lawyer

In the State of Maryland, agreements made prior to the time of the ceremony between spouses-to-be is called a prenuptial contract or agreement. Typically, valid prenuptial agreements remain enforceable after divorce. Precedent shows us that prenuptial agreements are very difficult to void. However, this may change. In March of 2013, a Brooklyn court invalidated a prenuptial agreement that a Long Island woman had signed with her millionaire husband before their 1998 wedding. This is a precedent-setting move, and divorce lawyers in every state are sitting up and taking notice....

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FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

Maryland Family Law Attorney

Mediation is an alternative process to solve family disputes that does not require court involvement. It involves using a neutral third party, the mediator, who will facilitate and assist the parties in coming with their resolution to mutually satisfy all parties. The role of a mediator includes facilitating communication between the parties, assisting in identifying the real issues of the dispute and the parties’ interests, and generating options for settlement. Most people have the ability to solve their own disputes but it’s important to hire a mediator to help facilitate the discussion....

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FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

Maryland Family Law Mediation

Mediation is a process in which the parties appear before an impartial third party who does not have authority to adjudicate (make a formal decision) the dispute; however, by applying mediation techniques generally accepted within the professional mediation community, assists the parties by identifying the issues and interests of both parties, exploring settlement alternatives, and fashioning the basis of an agreement....

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HOW & WHY TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY

Family Law Lawyer in Maryland

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...

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Child Enticement in Maryland

Maryland Family Law Lawyer On average, 33 children every day are abducted by a non-family member and most of them are sexually assaulted before being released. Child enticement is a serious crime and something every parent needs to be on the look out for. Child enticement is conduct (including an attempt or conspiracy to commit conduct) that equates to criminal sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or anything else of this sort. Any adult that persuades, solicits, entices or lures by words, actions or through any sort of communication any minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct may be...

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