Family Law
We Help You Take Back Control Without the Complexity.
At The Saint-Yves Law Firm, we specialize in helping working families, single parents, and retirees protect their greatest asset - their wishes for their family. The Saint Yves Law Firm understands that you need experience, support, and compassion, and we are here to provide all of that without the hassle and complexity. Contact us today to get started.
Domestic Violence
The first step in stopping domestic violence is recognizing it is unacceptable and you don’t need to live with such behavior. Domestic violence encompasses many behaviors – some criminal, all unacceptable. Though some are not criminal because they are not physical, they include behaviors such as:
Controlling your time or what you do
Limiting access to friends and family
Financially withholding resources
Degrading comments
Physical abuse includes not only physical violence, but also includes threats of violence connected to the belief of the abuser’s ability to follow through on the threats. If you are the victim of violence, you may be eligible for various forms of relief and should contact a Maryland family lawyer for assistance with either a protective order or peace order; these are the legal remedies for victims of domestic violence in addition to any criminal penalties abusers face.
Divorce
Leaving your marriage is never easy, but the right attorney can help it be as quick, smooth, and painless as possible. In Maryland, you may file for divorce if you or your spouse are a resident of the state, if one spouse is a resident of the state, or if the grounds for divorce occurred in the state of Maryland. There are two types of divorces – absolute and limited.
Absolute divorce ends your marriage and permits a court to make decisions about issues such as property division, alimony, and child support. Afterward, a party may remarry. Absolute divorce can come from:
Mutual consent (no-fault divorce)
12-month separation
Adultery
Insanity
Certain criminal convictions that carry long incarceration terms
Limited divorce does not end a marriage. Rather, the couple lives apart and cannot have sexual relations with each other nor can they have sexual relations with anyone else. The grounds must be stated and include any of the following:
Cruelty and excessively vicious conduct
Voluntary separation of at least one year
Desertion
A limited divorce decree states the separation date and makes decisions regarding custody, child support, alimony, and property. Once those issues are decided you are eligible for an absolute divorce.
Child Support
Child support is often a contentious issue; Maryland attempted to solve the problem by creating a statute including a mathematical formula that applies Maryland’s child support guidelines. Every case involving child support must use the legislatively required guidelines. Important factors within the guidelines include:
- Each spouse’s gross income
- The alimony involved in this case
- Any alimony paid in a different case
- Child support a party pays from a separate case
- Physical child custody
- If custody is shared, the number of each parent’s overnights
- A child’s health insurance, special medical, and daycare expenses
Asset Division
Maryland is an equitable distribution state, meaning property and asset division is designed to be fair – not necessarily 50/50 equality. A number of factors play into the decision, such as each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, alimony, age, wrongdoing, what was brought into the marriage by each party, and possible financial inequalities between the spouses post-divorce. Generally, each party is entitled to keep assets they had before the marriage and gifts or inheritance left solely to that spouse during a marriage. However, if the assets were used to improve marital property or were commingled, they may be subject to equitable distribution as well.
Child Custody
Custody of children after a divorce is often a stressful issue. Maryland divides custody into legal and physical categories. These are either “sole” legal and/or physical custody awarded to one parent or “joint” legal custody or “shared” physical custody awarded to both parents and may incorporate tie-breaking authority.
Legal Custody
Legal custody involves authority to make decisions regarding the child. If a parent is awarded sole legal custody, they decide on:
- Education
- Medical decisions
- Religion
- School activities
- Matters regarding their overall welfare
If the parents have joint legal custody, they decide what is in their child’s best interests. In some cases, if parents cannot agree, a court may award one parent authority to make the final decision (tie-breaking authority).
Physical Custody
Currently, “shared” custody means one parent has at least 128 overnights a year (this is subject to change in the October 2021 legislative year) with their child while the rest is spent with the other parent; anything less is sole custody. Sole custody means the parent without physical custody never sees their child. Visitation can take a variety of forms and schedules, and largely depend on the particulars of a case.
In some circumstances, supervised visits that include a third party may be ordered. However, a court can reject parents’ custody and visitation plans even if both parents are in agreement if the court feels the proposed plan is not in the child’s best interest or may modify custody if a material change in circumstance occurs.
Contested Adoption
Family law also includes issues of adoption, which creates a legal parent-child relationship through a judicial order between an adoptee and someone who is not their natural parent. It relieves an adoptee’s natural parents of all their parental rights and obligations to the adoptee. An uncontested adoption must be consented to by the adoptee’s natural parents if they can be located and the adoptee themselves if they are 10 years of age or older.
The three types of adoption – public agency, private agency, and independent adoptions, all follow a similar process. In Maryland, they begin with a petition for adoption being filed in Circuit Court including various exhibits. After investigations and reports are made to the court, the petition is either approved or denied at a hearing.
Guardianship
Courts in Maryland may appoint a guardian to individuals unable to care for themselves personally or financially due to disability, age, or illness. Guardianship may be awarded over an adult or a minor child.
To be a minor’s guardian in Maryland, the court must be petitioned and provide notice to all interested parties of the petition. If no party objects, the court may decide whether to grant guardianship with or without a hearing. If a guardian was nominated by a parent or in their will, it usually heavily influences a court’s determination. However, the court will always hear the objection or hold a hearing if an objection exists.
Name Change Applications
Adults
In Maryland, most name changes occur because of a marriage, divorce, or adoption, but any adult can change their name for any legal, non-fraudulent reason that does not interfere with another’s rights. For adults, name changes can occur through usage or by filing a petition and going to court. Use involves picking a name, using it in daily life, and changing records with certain government departments and agencies. However, filing a Petition for Change of Name is most effective. After filing a petition:
Unless a court waives it, notice of your request must be published in a newspaper circulated in your county
If no person objects, a judge may sign an order granting the name change
If anyone objects, files an objection, and sends a copy to you, you have 15 days to file a response with the court
Minors
Unless an option or divorce occurs, a minor’s name cannot be changed without a court petition. The procedure is largely the same as an adult name change, but to complete the petition you must:
Know the names of the biological parents
Produce a document reflecting the minor’s current name – a passport, for example
The consent of the parents or guardians is also generally advisable for an easy transition.
PRE AND POST-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
These legal agreements are created either before the marriage or after marriage and are meant to protect one or both spouses in the event of divorce. Prenuptial agreements can deal with nearly any issue the couple wants to address prior to marriage and are enforceable if certain conditions are met. However, typically they settle issues related to:
Each spouse’s assets, debts, and property rights
How assets brought into the marriage and acquired during marriage are to be divided if divorce occurs
Protection of any children’s interests either spouse brings into the marriage from future relationships
Post-nuptial agreements deal with largely the same issues as prenuptial agreements but are created and executed once the couple has already married. In Maryland, post-nuptial agreements are usually enforceable as contracts as long as they don’t run contrary to public policy.
THE SAINT YVES LAW FIRM — MARYLAND’S CHOICE
The Saint Yves Law Firm is known throughout Maryland as the most trusted family law firm, offering a variety of legal services to clients in need. Our team of experienced lawyers specializes in Maryland family law, divorce, custody, name changes, and so much more, providing personalized attention to each client’s unique needs.
The Saint Yves Law Firm has a reputation for excellence in the legal field, as our lawyers have helped countless families resolve legal issues through skilled negotiation and representation. We understand how difficult and stressful it can be to go through any family law issue, which is why we offer compassionate and empathetic legal services to every client. By choosing The Saint Yves Law Firm, you can trust that you're getting the best possible legal representation from well-respected Towson lawyers, who can help guide you through the legal process and work toward achieving a positive outcome for your case.
WHY CHOOSE THE SAINT YVES LAW FIRM?
The Saint Yves Law Firm is a team of experienced and knowledgeable lawyers who specialize in various areas of law, including family law, divorce, custody, name changes, domestic violence, guardianship, Maryland estate planning, and so much more. If you're in need of legal assistance and reside in the Towson area, The Saint Yves Law Firm is an excellent choice.
Our lawyers have a wealth of experience in the legal field and understand the nuances of Maryland law. We’ll provide personalized attention to each client's unique needs and work toward finding the best possible outcome for their clients. By working with The Saint Yves Law Firm, you can rest assured you will receive quality and compassionate legal representation at all levels, regardless of your needs. Whether you're going through a difficult divorce, seeking custody of a child, or looking to plan for your estate, The Saint Yves Law Firm can help you with all your legal needs.
HOW WE HANDLE EACH CASE
At The Saint Yves Law Firm, our compassionate family lawyers understand that each case is unique and treat it with the individual attention it deserves. Our Maryland law firm provides comprehensive legal representation in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, and name changes. Our Towson lawyers strive to assist our clients in finding the best resolution to their legal matters, no matter how complex. We are proud to provide personalized, compassionate legal services to our clients in the Maryland area.
THE SAINT YVES LAW FIRM
Speak to a Maryland Family Law Attorney Today
Family and domestic issues can be incredibly stressful and often contain consequences that reach far beyond the individuals directly involved. To understand your options and get help successfully resolving your matter, schedule a consultation with our office, and let's talk. We have spent years helping clients like you secure favorable outcomes on difficult cases. We are here to answer your questions, discuss your options, and help you get the solution you deserve.
Contact Us Today Call: (443) 707-8692 (Baltimore County) Call: (410) 510-7111 (Harford County)