Family law in the state of Maryland covers divorces, custody agreements, fathers rights, visitation rights, child support payments, asset division, court supervision, and all other legal factors that revolve around family court cases. Retaining our Maryland family law lawyers and family law attorney should always be considered when Maryland couples are going through a divorce. This is true whether there are children involved or not. Also, the hiring of a lawyer is always recommended to ensure that all family law related cases are carried out thoroughly and fairly to all parties involved. Even the messiest, nastiest and most contemptuous divorces can be made easier with the right attorney. The presence of our experienced Maryland family law lawyers will ensure that the fairest visitation and custody agreements are met in situations of complicated divorces involving children.
If you are going through difficult family law issues call a divorce attorney serving the entire state of Maryland. Our Maryland family law lawyers offers flat fee rates for family law consultations.
Divorce Rates in Maryland
Maryland currently holds one of the lowest divorce rates in the country, with an average of only 2.8 divorces per every 1000 Maryland residents. However small the amount, these divorces will result in meetings with family courts and the observing of family law in order to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly.
Recent studies have found that around 17% of all of Maryland’s children will find themselves effected by divorce. Children who experience a divorce of their parents, or step parents, will often be affected by the event in multiple ways, and parents should take special care to think of what is best for their children during these difficult times.
Visitation and custody are two very important factors in divorces involving children, and it is important that these children are able to spend time with and feel cared for by both of their parents particularly in instances of divorce. Family law and family courts will be able to ensure that the needs of the children are met, and that any children of the divorcing parties will be able to spend an appropriate amount of time with both parents while living in the most ideal conditions.
The Effect of Divorce on Children
A child’s age has great influence on how they may react in situations of their parents’ divorce. Children who are around 9 and under will tend to handle divorces differently than adolescents, and adolescents will handle divorce differently than older teens. For children, a divorce may increase a child’s dependence on one or both parents, causing them to become clingier towards their parents while showing signs of separation anxiety, where in cases of adolescents and teens, divorce may cause the opposite effect.
Younger children react in such a way because they often find comfort in reverting back to previous behaviors, as these much younger dependent behaviors can cause them to feel closer to their families. These regressive dependent behaviors can involve separation anxieties, tantrums, bathroom accidents, or excessive crying or whining, and they are done in a way to act out for the parental attention they may feel they are missing during the course of the divorce process.
For adolescents and older teens, an opposite approach is often taken. Children of these ages will be naturally adopting a more independent lifestyle, and due to feelings of anger or betrayal, they may detach themselves further from their parents in an effort to calm their own anxieties with the situation.
However, where adolescents and teens may differ is that adolescents tend to take a more rebellious approach and may hold a grudge over the situation longer than a teen. Older teens are more capable of having a mature standpoint on the situation, and the ability to understand better what is happening within their family.
One way to lessen the effects of divorce on children of any age is for the parents to be open to communicating with their children about exactly what is going on and what changes they can expect. It is also important that both parents reassure the children that they are loved and remain a top priority, no matter the changes they may see during the divorce process.
Factors that Complicate Maryland Divorces
While the presence of children may make divorces more complicated, other factors may cause the divorce process to be a longer or messier one than what may be anticipated. Financial aspects, like a bankruptcy or the division of assets will also often prolong the process of divorce as both parties are trying to be awarded their fair share of what were once shared accounts or property. Divorce can be a process that is expensive, and it can often lead to both parties giving up half of what they may feel their assets may be; these financial aspects will often need to be sorted out under family law and by a Maryland family court.
The presence of a divorce attorney can help both parties to get exactly what assets they are entitled to in cases of divorce, as they are experts in the field of Maryland family law. This will help to ensure that both halves of the divorcing couple are treated fairly and receive their rightful portion of property or shared finances.
Domestic Violence and Divorce
Divorces using grounds of domestic violence will be more complicated than other divorces in Maryland, particularly if the victim wishes to file charges against the offending partner. These cases are best handled by skilled family law attorneys, and the victim should keep documentation of all medical expenses incurred due to the violence as well as photographs of any injuries to be used as evidence against the offending partner.
Let Our Maryland Family Law Lawyers Help You
Email our Maryland family law lawyers today to discuss your case. They have a wealth of experience handling family law cases such as adoptions, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity suits, same sex marriage issues and custody & support modifications.