Catonsville Divorce Lawyers Providing Direction And Strategy

The word divorce can spark many different types of emotions. To some, it can be emotional, strenuous and overwhelming. To others, it may mean a weight is lifted off your shoulders. Whether you are contemplating a divorce, separated from your spouse or have recently been served with papers, a divorce attorney at our firm will protect your rights and advise you of an effective strategy to take.

We are the experienced lawyers at the Law Office of Kevin L. Beard, P.A., in Catonsville. Our firm serves families throughout the greater Baltimore area, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County and Carroll County. We handle all areas of family law, including divorce, child support, child custody, domestic violence and modifications.

Grounds For Divorce In Maryland

In Maryland, the law focuses on showing that the marriage is broken beyond repair. Maryland is primarily a no-fault state. This means you do not have to prove wrongdoing by your spouse to get divorced. The grounds for an absolute divorce in the Maryland circuit court include:

• Mutual consent: Both parties sign a settlement agreeing on child custody and visitation, spousal support and property division.
• Six-month separation: You and your spouse live apart for an uninterrupted six-month period. You can live under the same roof, but must live separate lives.
• Irreconcilable differences: You can show the court that fundamental differences make it impossible to continue the marriage.

These grounds generally do not impact the division of property or custody decisions. However, the court may still consider the facts surrounding the end of the marriage in certain situations. For example, a judge might look at fault if it involves financial misconduct or serious protective orders for abuse.

Types Of Divorce In Maryland

We see two main types of divorce in the circuit courts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County and Carroll County. They are:

• Uncontested divorce: Both spouses agree on all key issues. This is often the fastest and least expensive path.
• Contested divorce: When spouses cannot agree on one or more issues. Valuing a business or dividing investment accounts often leads to a contested divorce. These cases often require discovery, hearings and possibly litigation.

You should have counsel in either situation. A complex divorce lawyer is essential in a contested case. We work hard to settle these matters outside of court using negotiation or mediation. However, we are fully prepared to advocate for you in area courts. We also represent military members during divorce.

All About The Maryland Divorce Process

The divorce process in Maryland follows a clear structure. At least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months before filing for an absolute divorce. The next steps include:

1. Filing the complaint: Draft and file a complaint for absolute divorce with the appropriate circuit court.
2. Service: Someone officially serves your spouse with the divorce papers. This gives them legal notice of the action.
3. Answer: Your spouse must file a formal response, or answer, within the time limit.
4. Discovery: Both parties exchange financial and other relevant information. This is often an extensive process in high-asset divorce cases.
5. Settlement efforts: When possible, we attempt to resolve outstanding issues through negotiation or mediation.
6. Trial: If the parties do not reach a settlement, the case proceeds to a final trial. The judge makes the final decision.

We work to keep the process moving efficiently toward a final resolution. Our divorce lawyers remain attentive to your needs from filing to final decree.

How Long Does A Divorce Take?

The length of a divorce case varies greatly. The primary factor is whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. A contested divorce takes significantly longer. We always strive for time efficiency. However, we never rush a matter at the expense of protecting your financial interests and parental rights. Post-divorce issues, such as modifications, may also arise, requiring continued legal support.

What Makes A High Net Worth Divorce Different From A Standard Divorce?

A high net worth divorce involves significantly greater financial complexity. You may have business ownership, extensive real estate holdings, complex investment portfolios and valuable tangible assets. These assets need accurate valuation. To do so, we may need to work with outside financial professionals. Our high net worth divorce attorneys meticulously trace all assets to determine which are marital and which are nonmarital.

Do I Need To Prove Fault To Get Divorced?

No. Maryland is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove fault to obtain an absolute divorce. The law requires only that you meet one of the no-fault grounds, such as a six-month separation or mutual consent.

What Happens If My Spouse Doesn’t Respond To Divorce Papers?

If your spouse fails to file an answer, you can file a request for an order of default. The court may then grant you a default judgment. This means the judge can move forward with the divorce without your spouse’s participation.

One Of The Biggest Issues During Divorce? Financial Security.

In many situations, our clients’ biggest concerns are financial security during and after a divorce. Our Catonsville divorce attorneys will assess your financial situation and ensure that your rights are protected in regards to property division, including:

• Pensions
• Retirement accounts
• Real property
• Businesses
• Savings/debt

Once an accurate determination of marital versus nonmarital property is made, the judges in Maryland consider multiple factors in order to determine an equitable division of property. They will examine who is at fault in the break-up, the length of the marriage, and contributions made to the family or household (monetary and nonmonetary). We will assist you with all monetary aspects of your case, including any support obligations such as alimony or child support.

“Divorce is obviously emotional, and even the most ethically minded people have their moments in anger. I wanted to know that my attorney would stand on what is best for the family, especially the children, and would speak up when anger and frustration set in. I now know that I made the right choice. I could not be happier with the results. Kevin was able to get us to a fair and amicable place in the settlement, he achieved the goals that we originally set out to accomplish, and he gently pried me off the ceiling a few times when things got crazy” — Chip

Why Work With An Experienced Divorce Lawyer?

It is important to have an experienced lawyer who can articulate your needs, the state of your current family situation, and ensure that your circumstances are fully and fairly considered by the court. At our firm, much of our practice is devoted to family law matters. Over the past 20 years, our attorneys have gained the experience, knowledge of the law and understanding to make certain your needs are met.

While settling in a divorce can reduce the financial toll, certain circumstances may call for advocacy in a trial in order to secure your best interests. Our attorneys will strive to reach a favorable settlement outside the courtroom, if possible, but are prepared to aggressively represent you in litigation if necessary.

We Will Protect You During Divorce. Contact Us For Help.

We have extensive experience in helping our clients protect their financial security, their rights and their children during the divorce process. Our lawyers will provide the assertive legal representation you are seeking. Contact us at 410-929-7197 or send us an email to schedule a free initial consultation.