Just When You Thought It Was Over…

Some Outcomes in a Divorce Are Permanent, While Others Are Designed to Change

November 19, 2020 By Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts, Principal

Everyone has something to protect in a divorce, and I have yet to meet a client who doesn’t feel relief when the process is over. Many of those clients, however, are surprised when an issue they thought they resolved for good resurfaces later.

In Maryland, the reality is that some issues can never be permanently resolved in an initial divorce proceeding, while others are always resolved in the first case.
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Why Maryland’s New Augmented Estate Law Means You May Need a Prenup

You May Also Need to Revise the One You Already Have

November 13, 2020 By Erin Kopelman

Erin Kopelman, Principal

Maryland’s new Augmented Estate Law was created to enable a surviving spouse, who was not adequately provided for by his/her deceased spouse, to elect to receive a share of substantially more of the deceased spouse’s assets than ever before.

But, it has the major, and perhaps unintended, consequence of affecting some estate plans and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements already in place.
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My Spouse and I Have a Verbal Agreement. What is the Quickest Way to Obtain a Divorce in Maryland?

November 9, 2020 By Donna E. Van Scoy

Donna E. Van Scoy, Principal

The short answer is: it depends.

Obtaining a divorce in a short marriage with no children and few, if any, assets is very different than a long marriage with children and assets. Then there are marriages in between the short marriage and the long marriage with combinations of no children or children and a variety of assets.

A logical first step is to contact a lawyer.
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What to Expect When Calling in to Schedule a Consultation with a Divorce Attorney

October 29, 2020 By Casey Florance

Casey Florance, Principal

Divorce attorney Casey Florance discusses what to expect when you make that first call to set up a meeting with a divorce attorney, including:

Need to discuss private and confidential information
A lawyer’s ethical obligations
COVID considerations
Discussing cost

Do I have to be physically separated from my spouse in order to start the divorce process in Maryland?

October 28, 2020 By Casey Florance

Casey Florance, Principal

I hear some version of this question from new clients all the time, and the common assumption is the separation clock has to be ticking before you hire an attorney and before you start negotiating a settlement agreement.

But that’s not the case.

To be eligible to file with the Court for an absolute divorce in Maryland, you must have a ground for divorce at the moment you file.
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You’ve Decided to Mediate Your Divorce. Should You Bring a Lawyer?

October 23, 2020 By Deborah Reiser

Deborah Reiser

You’ve decided to mediate your divorce case. You wisely decided to avoid the expense, acrimony, and uncertainty of a contested court proceeding in favor of a negotiated resolution with the assistance of a neutral third party. You’ve selected a mediator, and now are faced with the choice of whether you should go to mediation with or without your lawyer.

There are pros and cons to both approaches, and the decision deserves thoughtful consideration.
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Robert A. Gordon Joins Lerch Early Leading New Bankruptcy/Financial Restructuring Practice

October 15, 2020 By Erik Arena and Heather Collier

Robert A. Gordon has joined Lerch Early as a principal after 14 years as a judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. Lerch Early is now better-positioned to advocate for our domestic clients in this important area that will become even more important in the wake of the pandemic, which will likely lead to an avalanche of bankruptcy filings.
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What You Need to Know About Maryland’s Revised Child Support Guidelines

October 8, 2020 By Erik Arena and Erin Kopelman

Maryland’s Child Support Guidelines, which are used by the Courts to establish and set child support in most cases in Maryland, had not been substantively adjusted in 10 years. The new law, which updates the prior Maryland Child Support Guidelines statute, is effective for all cases filed after October 1, 2020.

There are two noteworthy updates to the Maryland Child Support Guidelines statute – one, intended to address the “cliff effect” (i.e.
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Chris Roberts Admitted to Fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

October 6, 2020 By Donna E. Van Scoy

Donna E. Van Scoy, Principal

Divorce attorney Chris Roberts has been admitted to fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

One of only 34 Fellows throughout Maryland, Chris is now among those generally recognized by lawyers and judges as preeminent family law practitioners with the highest level of knowledge, skill, and integrity.

For more information, see the AAML website: https://aaml.org/page/WhyAAML.

Chris Roberts is a family law and divorce attorney who represents clients in all aspects of family law, including separation, divorce, custody, property, support, post-judgment issues, and domestic violence matters in Maryland.
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Why You and Your Divorce Attorney Should Develop a Personal Relationship

October 2, 2020 By Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts, Principal

I’ve always enjoyed the movie Jerry Maguire. Jerry is a sports agent representing Rod Tidwell, a bombastic, energetic, life-loving NFL wide receiver. Part of the appeal of the movie is the relationship between Rod and Jerry. Rod leaves no doubt about his professional goals (SHOW ME THE MONEY JERRY!!!!), but he has to navigate personal and professional challenges to make them happen.
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