Severna Park, MD Divorce Attorney

Skilled Divorce Lawyer Serving Clients in Severna Park, Maryland

Sometimes, despite the best efforts from both parties, a marriage cannot be salvaged. When it becomes apparent that things are not working, you may have to make the difficult choice to get a divorce. While this is a hard decision by itself, the ensuing legal proceedings will be even harder. During this arduous process, you can benefit from the services of a skilled Severna Park family law attorney who can advise you of your best interests and advocate for your rights.

At [DM Family Law, we are here to serve your needs during your divorce, using our negotiation skills and deep knowledge of the law to work toward a favorable outcome in your case. Whether you want to reach a settlement with your spouse or pursue litigation, we will do everything we can to ease the burden on you.

Dividing Property in Maryland Divorces

When you and your spouse decide to divorce, you will have to figure out how to allocate your property. This may be one of the most complicated parts of your divorce, depending on how long you have been married for. At DM Family Law, we can represent you in negotiations for your marital property, keeping your long-term needs in mind.

Firstly, you will have to figure out the difference between your marital and separate property. The former category consists of property that was bought or acquired during the marriage, while the latter consists of assets you owned before you were married. However, there are exceptions to this rule that can complicate these seemingly simple guidelines. For example, if you owned a business prior to the marriage that grew with marital funds, it could be labeled as marital property.

Once you have set aside all of your separate property, you will have to divide the remaining marital property. This can be accomplished by negotiating with your spouse outside of court or through litigation. If your property division falls to a judge, they will prioritize an equitable distribution of assets. We can represent you in the division of assets to make sure that you are treated fairly and your rights to property are respected.

How Is Custody Decided in Maryland Divorces?

The issue of allocating child custody is often the most sensitive aspect of formally ending a marriage. In many cases, parents are able to share legal and physical custody, with both parties playing an active role in the child's life. However, in some cases, the court may give one parent sole physical custody, legal custody, or both.

In child custody cases, the judge will always base important decisions on the child's best interests over anything else. The child's health needs, education, social life, and family ties may be considered during the allocation of physical and legal custody.

Alimony Concerns for Divorces in Maryland

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is a court order that can compel one spouse to pay the other during or after a divorce. Keep in mind that you can only request alimony before your divorce is finalized, so you may only have a limited window of time to petition the court for support.

At DM Family Law, we represent spouses who are seeking or paying alimony. We can advocate for a reasonable amount of alimony and request modifications after your final divorce decree as needed.

Contact a Severna Park, Maryland Divorce Lawyer

If you need help getting through your divorce, consider working with Attorney David Marquardt. When you work with our firm, you will receive individual attention and counsel to make sure your needs are looked after in your divorce. Call 443-545-8100 or contact our Severna Park family law attorney for a free consultation with DM Family Law.