Annapolis, MD Divorce Lawyer

Experienced Attorney Handling Divorces in Annapolis, Maryland

Despite the vow of "till death do us part," not all marriages are meant to last, and there is no shame in admitting that a relationship has run its course. In fact, anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of first marriages in the United States end in divorce. If divorce is on the horizon for you, consider seeking out an Annapolis divorce attorney who can help you navigate the legal proceedings as efficiently as possible.

At DM Family Law, we know how exhausting and stressful a divorce can be. Attorney David Marquardt is here to lighten the load on your back, providing you with excellent counsel and representation to help meet your needs. Attorney Marquardt has more than 20 years of legal experience that informs his meticulous strategies, making him a sound choice for a Maryland divorce lawyer.

How Marital Agreements Can Affect Your Divorce

You may already be familiar with the concept of a "prenup" or prenuptial agreement, a legal document that is signed before a marriage—or its counterpart, the postnuptial agreement, which is signed during a marriage. Some people view these agreements through a cynical lens, treating it as planning for divorce. Regardless of whether or not you end up getting a divorce, you will be glad for the peace of mind that these agreements can provide.

Prenups and postnups are usually used to settle financial matters if the marriage ever falls apart. They can be used to preemptively decide on issues like property division and alimony, which can save time and legal fees.

There are only limited grounds upon which a signed marital agreement may be contested. One party may challenge the agreement if they were not given a full disclosure of all assets involved, or if they did not voluntarily sign the document. A judge could also decide not to enforce an agreement if it is not fair and equitable to both parties.

Who Gets the Children in a Divorce?

Child custody is a sensitive family law issue, and there is legislation in place to prevent children from being treated like bargaining chips in a divorce. Instead, all child custody rulings are made with the child's best interests in mind. The judge can consider a wide range of factors to guide the decision, such as the fitness of each parent, any past history of mistreatment by the parents, and the child's physical and emotional needs, among other factors.

At DM Family Law, we understand how much it means for parents to spend time with their children and make decisions for them. We will advocate for a resolution that respects your child's needs while preserving your authority as a parent.

What Is a Contested Divorce?

In courts of family law, a divorce is considered contested when key disagreements prevent them from reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. Should this come to pass, third-party intervention may be necessary.

There are many ways to resolve a contested divorce. One route is litigation, which involves presenting your issues to the court to get a final verdict on the divorce. In litigation, both you and your spouse will have a chance to state your case to a judge, who will then give a definitive ruling on the issues at hand.

Litigation is effective, but it can also be quite expensive and needlessly complicated. If you are interested in a quicker, more amicable form of dispute resolution, you could try other methods of dispute resolution that do not involve the courts, like mediation. At DM Family Law, we can help you work toward an amicable resolution that saves you time and money.

Meet With an Annapolis Divorce Attorney

Our Annapolis divorce lawyer at DM Family Law is more than qualified to handle your case. We can provide you with honest counsel and strong representation to help you get through the end of your marriage, fighting for your best interests. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 443-545-8100 or contact our Annapolis divorce lawyer today.