Finding the right legal representation for you during a crisis can be challenging. However, the stakes are especially high in family legal disputes. Divorce, child custody, and child support can harm you financially and emotionally and have lifelong impacts.
That is why choosing diligent, empathetic legal counsel, who helps you set emotions aside and focus on making smart, long-term decisions, is crucial. While arguing with an ex may provide temporary emotional satisfaction, it can drain available resources and prevent you from healing. It is equally essential to work with an attorney who is not afraid to advocate fiercely on your behalf. A Timonium family lawyer must be ready and willing to pursue available legal avenues to protect your best interests and obtain a favorable result for you and your family.
Ending A Marriage
Many people have misconceptions about what they must prove to obtain a divorce. The state does not require a person to prove fault. Neither party has to demonstrate wrongdoing or mistreatment to get a divorce. Instead, the petitioner must allege grounds for the divorce. While fault assigns blame to one of the spouses, grounds offer the court a reason to grant the divorce. That said, the actions of both parties will be considered in determinations regarding marital property, alimony, and custody.
In this state, there are three potential grounds for divorce:
- Mutual consent
- A six-month separation
- Irreconcilable differences
The petitioner must also prove that one of the spouses is a state resident. In most cases, the partner should have been a resident for at least six months. Fortunately, there are exceptions to these rules. A Timonium family law attorney can evaluate your situation and assess if exceptions apply to your case.
Sometimes, dissolving a marriage is not enough. If a petitioner wants to make the marriage legally disappear, they can seek an annulment, though annulments are rare in Maryland. For an annulment to be granted, the marriage must be either void or voidable. It is important to speak to an attorney about whether your case falls into the narrow grounds for an annulment.
Child Custody and Support Disputes
The state does not favor either parent in custody or child support decisions. Instead, they are guided by the best interests of the child, which is defined by factors as outlined in prior cases. The law presumes that both biological parents and adoptive parents have equal rights to custody and equal responsibilities to support the child.
Custody outcomes can range from sole custody to one parent to equal custody for both parents. The court examines various factors to determine the best arrangement for the child, including but not limited to:
- The stability of each household
- The character and reputation of the parties
- The financial resources of each parent
- Each parent’s physical and emotional health
Even parents with troubled histories, including domestic violence or substance use, may still have access to their child. However, the court may order supervised visitation or other protections to safeguard the child’s safety.
The custody arrangement directly impacts the child support established in any case. Child support is the child’s right and is meant to ensure the child’s needs are met in both households. A family lawyer in Timonium can help you contest or modify child support payments if needed.
Get Legal Assistance From a Timonium Family Attorney
While divorces mark the end of a chapter in a person’s life, they can be the start of an exciting new future. A Timonium family lawyer can help you focus on your future and guide you in making healthy decisions that support your recovery.
Each family law situation is unique, but the legal processes remain consistent. During a consultation, an attorney can explain how the law can apply to your specific circumstances so you can make better-informed decisions. Schedule an appointment today to take the first step towards protecting your future.
