Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 09:11PM On election day, Maryland became one of a handful of states to legalize gay and lesbian marriage. Now, not only are marriages performed elsewhere valid in this state, but now same sex couples can marry here as well.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 06:00AM This is technically not family law news, except as it relates to this office. We are moving, probably by the end of October 2012, to our new home at 129-12 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland. We're not giving up our Montgomery County roots, however, as we will spend every Tuesday and Friday afternoon in Rockville, at our office in the Collaborative Practice Center of Montgomery County, at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 1900, Rockville, Maryland.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 05:53AM The Maryland State Legislature passed a law recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states. The matter was passed by such a close vote, that it is a referendum item on this November's ballot. This legislation is important, because as other states recognize and perform same sex marriages, many of those couples will ultimately reside in this state. Without the legislation, these couples are without the means to divide assets they have acquired during their marriage, except by reference to contract and real estate laws, thus frustrating their intent when they purchased the property. Also, such legislation helps such couples resolve the issues related to their children as co-parents, and not just as one parent and one third party outsider who has no rights. We are hopeful that the referendum, like the legislation, will pass.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 06:56PM As of October 1, 2011, Maryland no longer requires that spouses be separated for two years or more in order to obtain a "no fault" absolute divorce. The period of time in which the spouses must live separate and apart without cohabitation for a "no fault" divorce is now the same as for the other grounds - one year. That does not mean fault is dead in Maryland, as it is still relevant in determining an alimony award and in deciding how to divide the marital estate.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 06:48PM Texas has passed the Uniform Collaborative Law Act. It has been introduced in Alabama, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Hawaii.