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When parents in a divorce can’t agree on custody and the conflict is significant, Maryland courts sometimes need more information than either side’s attorney can provide. That’s where custody evaluations come in. A mental health professional with specialized training conducts an independent investigation of both parents, the children, and the family dynamic, then submits a […]

When someone is trying to get a protective order in Maryland, one of the first questions that comes up is what kind of evidence actually matters. Text messages come up constantly. They’re often the most direct record of what happened between two people, and courts take them seriously. The short answer is yes. Text messages […]

When parents separate or divorce, custody becomes one of the first and most pressing issues to work through. But many people use the word “custody” without realizing it actually refers to two separate legal concepts. Physical custody and legal custody are not the same thing, and a parent can have one without the other. Understanding […]

When a marriage ends, financial support between spouses becomes one of the most contested issues in family court. In Washington D.C., alimony is not a one-size-fits-all arrangement. Two of the most commonly misunderstood terms are pendente lite alimony and permanent alimony. They serve different purposes, apply at different stages of a divorce, and are evaluated […]

Not all assets are treated equally in a divorce. Washington DC recognizes a distinction between marital property and separate property, and that line matters a great deal when dividing what you own. Separate property generally includes assets you brought into the marriage, inherited, or received as a gift. Marital property is what you and your […]

A lot of parents assume child support and child custody are directly connected. More parenting time means less support, or losing custody automatically means paying more. That assumption leads to real problems in court. Under DC law, child custody and child support are handled as separate legal matters. One does not automatically determine the other. […]

When parents cannot agree on a custody arrangement, a DC Superior Court judge may order a custody evaluation. This is a formal assessment conducted by a mental health professional, typically a licensed psychologist or social worker, to help the court understand each family’s circumstances and what arrangement would best serve the child. The evaluator does […]

Divorce is rarely simple. But when significant wealth, business interests, or complex compensation structures are involved, the legal and financial stakes rise dramatically. If you are navigating a high-asset divorce in Rockville or anywhere in Montgomery County, Maryland, the decisions made early in the process can impact your financial future for decades. This is not […]

Trust forms the foundation of effective legal representation. When you and your family law attorney trust each other, communication flows more easily, strategy develops more naturally, and the entire process becomes less stressful. Building that trust requires intentional effort from both sides. Our friends at Schank Family Law discuss how mutual confidence between attorney and […]

Few issues in family law are as emotionally charged — or as consequential — as child custody. In Frederick County, child custody disputes require far more than emotional arguments or informal agreements. They demand a strategic approach grounded in Maryland law and a clear understanding of how local courts evaluate parental fitness and long-term stability. […]