Clarksville, MD Divorce Attorney

Reliable Divorce Lawyer for Clients in Clarksville, Maryland

Not all marriages are meant to last. When it becomes clear that no amount of reconciliation can save a relationship, it may be time to pursue a divorce. During this emotionally fraught, legally complex process, you can benefit from the services of a Clarksville, MD divorce attorney who can advise you of your options and pursue the best course of action.

Having a legal advocate at your side during a divorce is critical for protecting your own interests. At DM Family Law, we have over 20 years of experience handling complicated family law cases, including highly contested divorces. You can trust our attorney to provide you with excellent counsel and representation until the divorce proceedings are finished.

Complex Properties and Assets in a Maryland Divorce

When you and your spouse get divorced, you will have to decide how you want to split up your shared property. With some exceptions like gifts and inheritances, any property that you acquire during the marriage is likely to be considered marital property that must be divided. Our firm can help you account for your entire marital estate during property division, which may include:

• Your home and other real estate properties
• Retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and IRAs
• Investments and portfolios
• Businesses and business interests

Getting a proper estimate for the value of these assets is important, as it could affect the total amount you receive in marital property. We can help you uncover hidden property in your marital estate, making sure that all of your valuable assets are accounted for. We can represent clients in all income brackets, including high net worth divorces.

Will I Have to Pay Child Support After the Divorce?

When parents separate, they still have an obligation to ensure the well-being of their child. Child support is the court's way of holding parents financially accountable for their children, requiring a parent to contribute to various expenses related to food, clothing, housing, and other necessities.

If you do not have primary custody of your child throughout most of the year, you will likely be held responsible for making child support payments. This responsibility will continue until the child turns 18, but if the child is still in high school, it may continue until they graduate or turn 19.

A court order of child support is legally binding and very difficult to get out of without an exceptional reason. However, you do have the right to request a modification if you experience a significant change in circumstances, like a debilitating health condition or the unexpected loss of your job. We can represent you as you petition the court for a modification, arguing for a change in good faith.

Grounds for Divorce in Maryland

While Maryland once recognized fault-based reasons for divorce, the state has since eliminated those grounds. Now, you can only get a divorce if any of the following are true:

• You and your spouse both consent to the divorce
• There are irreconcilable differences between you and your spouse
• You and your spouse have been separated for six months

Although you cannot file for divorce on fault-based grounds, elements of marital misconduct can still affect other aspects of your divorce. When reviewing a petition for alimony, the judge can factor in the reason behind the collapse of the marriage.

Contact a Clarksville, Maryland Divorce Lawyer

At DM Family Law, we are prepared to represent you from the beginning of your divorce to the end. When you work with our firm, you will receive individual attention and guidance from our Clarksville divorce attorney. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at 443-545-8100 or contact our Clarksville divorce attorney today.