Towson, MD Family Law Lawyer
For many people, nothing is more important than the well-being and future of their family. For that reason, family law legal issues frequently become intense battles between the parties regarding financial disputes, the future of their children, and other things that both parties deeply care about.
Because parties involved in family law disputes care so much about what is going on, it is a good idea to get an outside, objective, and informed representative to work with you through the process. Our firm can provide just that. We can professionally and effectively handle any family law legal issues that arise and fight hard to get the best outcome for you and your family.
The family law attorneys with Rice, Murtha & Psoras can provide free case reviews when you call our office at (410) 694-7291.
Why Hire Our Family Law Lawyers in Towson, MD?
While it is a good idea to have legal representation in any courtroom matter, it can be especially important to have legal counsel helping you in family law proceedings. Things that come up in family law are often emotionally charged, and the parties care a lot about what is going on, so it is better to have our family law attorneys handle disputes and arguments, as we can provide a more objective and legally informed lens into what is going on.
Even family law issues where there is no hostility can benefit from having a lawyer versed in family law involved. Processes like adoption, where both parents are usually on board with the decision, can be extremely time-consuming and complicated. Having our lawyers work with you on these endeavors can make the process go more smoothly than it otherwise probably would.
Family Law Matters We Handle in Towson
Many people associate family law with a handful of matters, like child support, divorce, and other adversarial processes. However, family law encompasses so much more than that. There are a lot of different issues that can be considered “family law”:
Divorce
Family law and divorce are sometimes used synonymously, and not without good reason. Indeed, a large portion of family law cases are divorce-related issues. To successfully file for divorce in Maryland, there are a few requirements that need to be met. Per Md. Code, Fam. Law Art., § 7-101, the party filing for divorce needs to have lived in the state for a minimum of six months if the reason for divorce happened outside Maryland. However, if the divorce is happening because of something that occurred in Maryland, then the filing party only needs to be living in Maryland at the time they file for divorce.
You also need “grounds” for divorce, which are laid out in law. The legally acceptable grounds for divorce in Maryland are 6-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent under § 7-103(a).
Once the requirements for divorce are met, there are many family law-related issues that may pop up during proceedings, including hashing out finances, dealing with prenuptial agreements, child support, and various other matters that could pop up during divorce proceedings.
Child Support
While child support issues are often tied to divorce proceedings, they can and do pop up outside of divorce, and they deserve their own explanation in any event. Child support involves payments to support a child’s upbringing. Usually, child support payments are ordered when one parent is not willing to be part of a child’s life, but it is also the case that child support payments can be ordered to solidify the intentions of the parties.
When making child support determinations, the most important factor considered by the court is the best interests of the child. This could potentially make things legally complicated, but our attorneys are up to the task.
Child Custody
Another family law issue that can lead to bitter disagreements between the parties is child custody. The law recognizes two kinds of child custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody means you have the right to make certain decisions for the child, like where they attend school, what activities they participate in, and so on. Physical custody means you will be allowed to be in proximity to the child, meaning you can live with or visit them. Since child custody is something both parties are likely to have very strong opinions about, it is important to work with an attorney. That way, the matter can be handled professionally and impartially, and there is more likely to be a good outcome for both you and your children.
Alimony
Alimony payments are court-ordered payments one ex-spouse makes to another. The purpose of alimony is to help ensure that one party has the financial support they need to live comfortably and accomplish a particular goal. For example, suppose one party wants to get divorced, but their soon-to-be ex-partner has most of the financial control. In order to ensure that the divorcing spouse is able to afford legal services and is not in financial distress during divorce proceedings, the court may compel the other party to pay the divorcing party in some capacity. Whether you are seeking financial assistance through alimony or looking to contest the alimony you are being asked to pay, our attorneys can help you through the situation.
Adoption
Family law is not always adversarial. Some, like adoption, have spouses working together to achieve an outcome they both want. However, the adoption process is very intense, as the state of Maryland has an interest in making sure that children are placed in an appropriate home with adoptive parents. There is a great deal of work that goes into adopting a child, but our lawyers can help advocate for you and present your case in the most favorable way to make the adoption process go as smoothly as it can.
Contact Our Towson, MD Family Law Team Today
Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s family law attorneys can start looking at your claim today and can be reached by dialing (410) 694-7291.