In order to file for divorce in Maryland, you need to have grounds for a divorce. The term “grounds for divorce” means that there must be a legally recognized basis for the Court to grant you a divorce. The grounds for divorce in Maryland are codified by statute in Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 7-103. As of October 1, 2023, some major changes went into effect concerning grounds for divorce in Maryland. Many of the old grounds for divorce – such as adultery, cruelty and excessively vicious conduct – were repealed. In their place, new grounds for divorce were added. One of the new grounds for divorce is referred to as “irreconcilable differences.” Specifically, Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 7-103 (a) (2) provides that the Court may grant…Read More
When a couple gets divorced, they must decide what will happen with all of the marital property that they acquired during the course of the marriage. The marital property which must be resolved oftentimes includes one or more pieces of real property, including the marital home where the couple resides. Deciding what to do with the marital home – one of the most valuable assets a couple can own – can be a very difficult question. There are several ways that couples going through a divorce can resolve ownership of their home. These solutions include: Selling the Marital Home – Sometimes, people simply prefer to sell the marital home and get a fresh start. In this case, the parties can list the home for sale to a third-party buyer and…Read More
Mr. Greenberg has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Maryland for his family law practice. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Mr. Greenberg has been selected. According to Super Lawyers, only the top 2.5% of attorneys in Maryland are selected to the Rising Stars list. Mr. Greenberg would like to thank his colleagues, staff and most importantly, his clients for this honor. Greenberg Legal Group LLC enjoys the great privilege of serving clients in family law matters across the State of Maryland.Read More
In family law matters, it is not uncommon for one party to file for a protective order against their spouse or co-parent. Of course, nobody should ever file for a protective order unless there is a true need for protection. However, when one party acts in an abusive manner towards their spouse, co-parent or child, it may be necessary to file for a protective order. We recently published an article on grounds for protective orders which can be found here. When there is an ongoing divorce or custody action, those cases are always heard in the Circuit Court for the county where one or both parties reside. However, protective orders are often filed in the District Court of the county where the petitioner resides. Each county has a Circuit Court…Read More
The Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure allow parties to conduct discovery (i.e., Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents) as a means of gathering relevant information from other parties to the case. Discovery is an essential component of most cases and gives the parties an opportunity to obtain written responses, documents and other information ahead of trial. If a party fails to provide full and complete discovery responses in a timely fashion, the Maryland Rules allow the party propounding discovery to file a motion with the Court seeking to compel the requested discovery responses. Oftentimes, a motion to compel discovery responses is accompanied by a request for the Court to impose sanctions on the non-responding party. The Court has a broad array of tools at its disposal in imposing discovery…Read More
For all parents, whether separated or not, making sure that their children are financially supported is a top priority. When parents separate and no longer live together, they must address the issues of where the children will live and how they will be financially supported. The term “child support” refers to the financial support provided by one parent to another for their children in common when those two parents are no longer together. This article addresses three common questions that we are frequently asked about child support in Maryland. How is child support calculated in Maryland? In Maryland, child support is calculated according to the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. The Guidelines take into consideration a number of different factors in calculating a recommended amount of child support. These factors include…Read More
A prenuptial agreement is an agreement between two parties made in anticipation of marriage. The agreement is typically intended to address property and other monetary-related issues which may arise out of the marriage. Prenuptial agreements may be referred to by other terms such as an antenuptial agreement, prenuptial contract, premarital agreement or "prenup." Prenuptial agreements are governed by contract law in the state of Maryland. The purpose of such an agreement can vary, but they are essentially used for parties to agree on issues including: Property rights in property acquired before or during the marriage; The disposition of property in the event of a divorce; and Alimony or monetary awards. When two parties become married, their property and finances often become intertwined. This is especially true for longer-term marriages where…Read More
Summary Of Changes In Maryland Family Law: Several grounds for divorce will be eliminated from October 1, 2023, including adultery, desertion, insanity, criminal convictions leading to incarceration, cruelty of treatment, and 12-month separation. While "fault-based" grounds have been removed, the conduct of spouses during marriage remains relevant for property distribution. Two new grounds for divorce introduced: 6-month separation (without needing separate residences) and irreconcilable differences. Mutual consent continues as a valid ground for divorce in Maryland. There are groundbreaking changes occurring in Maryland regarding family law matters, including grounds for divorce. These changes will go into effect on October 1, 2023 and will apply to cases that are filed on or after that date. In this article, we outline a few of the upcoming changes to the grounds for divorce…Read More
Mr. Greenberg has been selected to the “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2023 by What’s Up? Central Maryland. Greenberg Legal Group LLC focuses its practice on family law matters, including divorce, custody and other domestic issues. The firm proudly serves clients across the State of Maryland including Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Montgomery County and other counties throughout the State. Mr. Greenberg would like to thank his colleagues, staff and most importantly, his clients for this honor. Greenberg Legal Group LLC will continue to honor its commitment of serving clients in family law matters across the State of Maryland.Read More
A mutual consent divorce is a "no fault" ground for absolute divorce in Maryland. If you and your spouse agree that the dissolution of your marriage is in the best interest of both parties, you should seek a mutual consent divorce for a smooth, speedy and amicable resolution. The court may grant an absolute divorce on the grounds of mutual consent if the following conditions are met: (i) The parties sign, execute and submit a written settlement agreement to the court that resolves all issues pertaining to (1) alimony; (2) the distribution of property; and (3) the custody, care, visitation and support of any minor children; (ii) If the parties have any minor children, they must include a completed child support guidelines worksheet to the settlement agreement if the document…Read More
