A divorce can take several months or even years to finalize, depending on the complexity of the issues in your case. If you are in the process of divorce and physically separated, you may be wondering, “if I am separated, how do I file taxes?” While many people default to doing what they’ve done during their marriage, such as filing a joint tax return, it’s crucial to understand that other options may exist*.  What are Your Options to File Taxes if You’re Still Legally Married at the End of the Year? While we are not accountants and cannot offer specific tax advice, what tax filing status ..read more

If you are considering divorce, you likely have many questions about the legal process – going to court. For instance, you might be wondering how to file for divorce, what the requirements are, and how long it will take. In this blog series, we will discuss what to expect as divorce litigation proceeds through the Maryland courts. Specifically, Part 1 focuses on the steps to take to get a case started and how the divorce process in Maryland begins.  Residency Requirements for a Divorce in Maryland In order to begin the divorce process in Maryland, certain legal requirements must be met. A ..read more

When you divorce, you don’t only part ways with your spouse — your relationship with their family may also come to an end. However, if you will be co-parenting with your ex-spouse, maintaining a relationship with your former in-laws might be important to you and your children. In some cases, remaining in contact may be essential for your children’s well-being, or even your own. Although navigating these relationships might not be easy, here are a few tips on how to deal with ex in-laws after divorce.     1. Know the Relationship Will Change Even if you were close with your ..read more

Money or property that is inherited by a spouse during marriage is usually treated differently from other marital assets in divorce. Under Maryland law, assets acquired by either spouse while married are generally considered marital property, belonging to both of them. However, what happens to an inheritance in divorce will depend upon a number of factors, including how the inheritance assets were handled during the course of the marriage. If you received an inheritance or are expecting one — and you’re considering parting ways with your spouse — it’s essential to understand what steps you can ..read more

The way you communicate with your spouse during divorce can have a lasting effect on your relationship moving forward. Effective communication can help to streamline the divorce process and minimize the amount of time you spend in court. It can also be particularly important to maintain amicable relations if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse share children together. Not only can children pick up on your emotions as you go through the process of ending your marriage, but it can be beneficial for them to see their parents communicate respectfully with one another once the divorce has been finali ..read more

A serious illness can be devastating, especially if it is debilitating and lasts for a significant amount of time. Not only might you be required to take time from work as you recover — but being sick can make it very difficult to care for your children. If you or your co-parent develop a physical or mental illness, you might be wondering what will happen to your current child custody arrangements. While every situation is different, it’s important to understand the ways custody can be impacted by a parent’s illness.  When Can an Illness Impact Child Custody? Under Maryland law, both pare ..read more

There is more than one way to end a marriage in Maryland. While couples who wish to end their marriage will need to obtain an official judgment of divorce, it doesn’t mean all couples need to follow the same path to get there. In fact, some divorces can be resolved without ever stepping foot inside a courtroom. It’s important to understand the difference between collaborative divorce vs traditional divorce processes to help ensure you are best able to protect your interests and meet the needs of your family.  How Does Collaborative Divorce Work? Collaborative divorce is a form of alternat ..read more

The holiday season can lead to wedding bells for a lot of Maryland couples. Christmas, New Year, and Valentine’s Day are some of the most popular times of year for couples to get engaged. If your fiance “popped the question” or you have decided to take your relationship to the next level, you may have questions about how this can affect your financial future, including the question -should we sign a prenup?  What is a Prenup? “Prenup” is short for prenuptial agreement (also called a premarital agreement or antenuptial agreement). It is a contract entered into by an engaged couple “in cons ..read more

Your dog, cat, or other pet is often considered to be a treasured member of the family. When parties separate or divorce, it can create questions about who gets the dog (cat, fish, lizard etc.) in the divorce. Here’s how Maryland law treats pets in the divorce process, and what you can expect to happen if you and your spouse can’t agree on who will get dog custody after your marriage. “Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge.”― Jerry Seinfeld Who Gets the Dog in a Divorce ..read more

Divorce isn’t easy on any family. Kids can take the end of a marriage hard no matter how old or developmentally mature they are. But divorcing with a special needs child can add a new dimension to already difficult custody, visitation, and support negotiations. Here are some tips for divorcing with a special needs child. Tip #1: Include Mental Health Providers in Telling Your Special Needs Child About Your Divorce Whether your children have special needs or not, processing the idea that their parents will no longer be together will be hard on kids. Talking to your children about divorce requir ..read more