Phoenix, MD Divorce Attorneys

Lawyers Assisting With Child Custody Issues, Property Division Negotiations, and More in Phoenix, Maryland

When you choose to get a divorce, you will need to make a variety of legal decisions that will affect your finances, living arrangements, and family relationships. You will need to resolve any disputes that may arise during the divorce process and either reach agreements with your spouse on the terms of your divorce settlement or litigate your case in court and ask a judge to make the final decisions in your case. Understanding the issues that will need to be resolved can help you approach the process with realistic expectations and make the right decisions during your case.

At Silverman Thompson, our attorneys are here to help you get through your divorce successfully. We will provide you with clear guidance about the laws that apply in your case, the issues that will need to be resolved, and the options that are available for negotiating with your spouse or handling matters in the courtroom. We can provide the representation you need during every stage of the divorce process, helping you achieve a positive outcome to your case.

Division of Marital Property

In Maryland, divorcing couples are required to divide their marital property equitably. You will not be required to divide everything equally with your spouse, but you should both receive an equitable share of the marital estate. Our lawyers can help you negotiate fair agreements while considering all issues that may play a role in the division of property, including the financial situation of each party, the contributions that each of you made to your marriage, and the steps you can take to protect your financial interests.

You and your spouse may own a wide range of assets that may need to be addressed during your divorce. Our attorneys can help you identify all marital assets, perform appraisals or valuations, and make decisions about how property will be divided. We can help you address assets such as:

• Your family home and any other residential real estate property
• Investment properties or commercial real estate
• Bank accounts, savings accounts, and other financial accounts
• Investments, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
• Retirement assets, including 401(k) plans, IRAs, and pension benefits
• Business interests, including family businesses, professional practices, or other ownership stakes in companies
• Vehicles, boats, and other personal property
• Valuables, including artwork, jewelry, collections, and furnishings
• Marital debts, including mortgages, loans, and credit card balances

Child Custody and Your Parenting Plan

For parents, child custody is likely to be one of the most important issues to address in a divorce. Our lawyers can provide guidance on the issues related to your children that you will need to address, and we can help you negotiate agreements on matters related to:

Legal Custody

You will need to determine how you and the other parent will share or divide the authority to make major decisions about your children's upbringing. These decisions may address education, including where your children will attend school or whether they will receive tutoring or other services. Healthcare decisions may involve the choice of your children's doctors, the medical and mental health treatments they will receive, the medications they may take, and other related matters. You may also need to address decisions about religion and extracurricular activities.

If you can negotiate an agreement that allows for joint legal custody, you and the other parent will share decision-making authority. You may need to be able to work together to make major decisions and consult with each other when necessary. Children can benefit when both of their parents are actively involved in their lives. Reaching an agreement to share joint custody may help you and your spouse put your children's needs first.

In cases where joint custody may not be possible, sole legal custody may be given to one parent. That parent will be able to make some or all child-related decisions on their own. However, the other parent will usually still be able to access information about the children and be consulted on certain types of decisions. Sole legal custody may be necessary if high levels of conflict will make joint decision-making difficult or impossible or if one parent has not been actively involved in making major decisions in the past.

Parenting Time/Visitation

In addition to legal custody, decisions will need to be made about the physical custody of children. The parenting plan that will be created during your divorce will include a parenting time schedule that will detail when your children will live in your home or the other parent's home and when they will spend time with each of you.

The regular parenting schedule will specify which days and overnights your children will spend with each parent during the school year. It should also address holidays, school breaks, or any other days where the regular schedule may not apply. Our lawyers can help you develop a parenting plan that will fit your specific situation, ensuring that you and your spouse fully understand how child-related issues will be handled going forward.

Alimony and Spousal Support

Alimony can play an important role in divorce cases where there is a significant financial imbalance between spouses. The factors that may be considered to determine whether alimony should be paid include:

• A Person's Ability to Become Self-Supporting: When a spouse has been out of the workforce for years while raising children, or when one party has a limited earning capacity compared to the other spouse, financial support may be needed to help a person rebuild their career, complete education, or receive training so that they can become self-sufficient.
• The Length of the Marriage: In a long marriage where one spouse has earned the majority of a family's income, alimony may be awarded to ensure that the other spouse can maintain the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage.
• The Financial Needs and Resources of Each Party: All assets owned by each party, the income they earn, and other financial factors may be evaluated to determine what support a person may need. Decisions about property division may affect a spouse's financial position, and ongoing expenses will also need to be considered.
• Contributions to the Marriage: Homemaking, childcare, and support of the other spouse's career are factors that may be considered. A spouse who made sacrifices to support the other spouse or to handle household responsibilities may receive support in recognition of their personal contributions.

Contact Our Phoenix Divorce Lawyers

When you are going through a divorce or considering how matters will be handled as you plan to end your marriage, the team at Silverman Thompson can provide you with legal guidance and representation. Our lawyers will help you understand every issue that may need to be addressed during your case, and we will advise you on the best steps to take to protect your interests throughout the process. We will work closely with you to help you achieve a resolution that will provide a solid foundation for your future. Contact our Phoenix, MD divorce attorneys by calling 410-385-2225 and setting up a confidential consultation.