St Marys County MD Divorce Attorney

An Experienced Divorced Attorney In St Marys County MD

The decision to separate is probably one of the most difficult decisions for any couple. It can come with many uncertainties and problems, and there are many things you have to take into consideration. How are your assets going to be divided? And what about custody of your children?

At the law office of Robert Castro, our professional and experienced lawyers are ready to help you navigate these questions. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience and know the ins and outs of Maryland divorce law. A St Marys County MD Divorce Attorney can make the divorce process as easy as possible.

Why Should You Hire A Divorce Attorney?

Divorce is a complicated process, and getting a divorce attorney who will guide you through it is a good idea for the following reasons:

• You can receive legal advice. It might be hard to understand all the details of the process and its terminology. As a result, you will be able to avoid mistakes that can cause delays.
• You protect the rights of your children. A divorce often involves custody battles that cannot be resolved without proper legal help. It is especially important if you believe that your spouse poses a danger to your children. In this case, you may want to apply for sole custody with the help of an attorney.
• You will be able to communicate with your spouse better. A divorce is a very emotional process, so it might have a negative impact on communication. If you have a lawyer, you may not have to communicate with your spouse – your attorney will do it on your behalf.

If you are approaching divorce in St. Mary’s County, you should know that you are not alone. With help from a qualified divorce lawyer in Maryland, you can strive for the best possible results with confidence. But what exactly does a divorce lawyer do? How can these legal professionals assist you? How does divorce work in Maryland? Let’s find out.

Child Custody

Family courts in Maryland always seek to serve the child’s best interests when making custody decisions. The parents’ needs and desires are simply irrelevant. All arguments should revolve around the child’s best interests, and your general goal is to show that your children would live a happier, healthier, and safer lives under your custody. When determining the child’s best interests, family courts in Maryland consider several factors:

• The fitness of both parents
• The character and reputation of the parents
• Any existing agreements between parents
• The ability of each parent to maintain family relationships
• The child’s preferences (if they exhibit a certain level of maturity or they are of a certain age)
• Financial resources of each parent
• The age, health, and gender of the child
• The residences of each parent and the distance between parents
• Length of separation
• Prior examples of abandonment
• Religious views of each parent
• Whether parents are disabled

Maryland is generally of the opinion that joint custody is the best outcome for the children. This means that parents will spend roughly equal amounts of time with their children.

Property Division

Maryland follows a system of “equitable distribution” regarding property division. This means that when spouses divorce, their property is divided equitably. Note that “equitable” and “equal” are actually distinct concepts, despite common misconceptions. Instead of arbitrarily slicing everything down the middle in a 50/50 manner (as is with the case in “community property” states), family courts in Maryland consider various relevant factors when splitting up a couple’s assets. These factors may include the following:

• The economic circumstances of each spouse
• The cause of the divorce
• The duration of the marriage
• Each spouse’s age
• The contribution of each spouse to certain assets (for example, making mortgage payments on a family home)
• Whether alimony has been awarded
• Any other factor that the court deems relevant

As you can see, these factors are quite broad, and the court has considerable discretion when it comes to how property is divided. However, there are still some concrete rules – perhaps most notably the distinction between marital and separate property. Separate property includes gifts, inheritance, and everything each spouse acquired outside of the duration of the marriage. Marital property includes all assets acquired during the marriage. Separate property cannot be divided via the equitable distribution process, while marital property can.

Child Support

Your child support obligations and rights depend on several factors. Maryland uses a set of official child support guidelines to calculate how much each spouse should pay or receive. These calculations are largely based on the income, wealth, and assets of each spouse. The more you earn, the more you can expect to pay in child support. Child support generally stops when the child reaches the age of majority or graduates from high school – whatever happens last. Child support can also be modified, but only under certain circumstances. Examples include loss of employment, disability, and retirement. The child may also require higher child support payments if they need expensive medical treatment or other necessities.

Alimony

Permanent alimony is rare in Maryland, and spouses are much more likely to receive “rehabilitative alimony” that provides them with the funds and time necessary to re-enter the workforce. For example, rehabilitative alimony may cover the expense of returning to school to earn degrees or qualifications. When you become self-sufficient once more, alimony ceases. Alimony may also stop if you become financially co-dependent on a new partner.

Call Our St Marys County MD Divorce Lawyer To Schedule A Consultation

If you are looking for a professional and experienced Divorce Attorney in St Marys County MD, you can trust the Law Office Of Robert Castro. Our team consists of the most qualified and knowledgeable legal professionals, who are ready to help you with your case. Do not hesitate to visit our website or call us to schedule a consultation.

Begin the Divorce Process Today

If you are ready to get the ball rolling, book your consultation with the Law Office of Robert Castro at your earliest convenience. Even if you are not quite sure whether divorce is the right option, it does not hurt to ask questions, consider your options, and make an informed decision based on legal advice from a real lawyer. Remember, internet research can only get you so far. Reach out today to begin the process.

For more information or questions, contact the Law Office of Robert Castro to speak to an experienced lawyer at (301) 870-1200. The Law Office of Robert Castro is located at 2670 Crain Highway #411, Waldorf, MD 20601.