Ending a marriage is often a difficult decision and one that has ramifications for everyone involved, making the process painful and stressful. At the Law Offices of Karen D. Amos, it is our goal to ensure that you understand your rights and help you handle the practical, financial, and emotional aspects of divorce and custody disputes by offering comprehensive family law services.
Divorce
The grounds for divorce in Maryland include:
- Mutual consent
- Adultery
- Desertion, constructive desertion, or separation for 12 continuous months
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor resulting in at least one year of incarceration
- Insanity requiring the spouse to be institutionalized for three years or more or incurable insanity
- Cruelty of treatment
- Excessively vicious conduct
Once a party files for divorce, the other party may contest it in specific situations. A contested divorce takes much longer to resolve and may be complicated and expensive depending on the grounds for divorce and any financial, custody, or property disputes.
The Law Offices of Karen D. Amos will be by your side through the whole process and will walk you through issues of custody, support, property division, alimony, and any domestic violence issues. Our family law office is also experienced in handling same-sex separation and divorce issues.
Custody
Often, one of the most sensitive and stressful parts of divorce is handling child custody issues. When both parties are unable to come to a custody agreement on their own, the court gets involved. They may also bring in an attorney whose sole job it is to look out for the welfare of any children involved.
Ultimately, the court will decide who receives legal custody and physical custody based on the best interests of the child or children.
In addition, the question of child support and visitation/access may arise. The Law Offices of Karen D. Amos team will make recommendations and help you put together the best case for gaining custody of your child.
Collaborative Process and Mediation
When privacy is important, a branch of family law known as mediation may be the answer. During mediation, you will work with your attorney and a mediator to find a solution that works for everyone. Mediation is less about proving who is “right” and more about reaching a workable compromise. In some cases, the court may require mediation.
Collaborative process can save both parties thousands of dollars in court fees and trial preparation. It can also speed up the separation process and gives families the power to make decisions that they believe will work well for everyone. When both parties enter into proceedings with a willingness to work together, Collaborative practice can be a great alternative to in-court divorce.
At the Law Offices of Karen D. Amos, we have extensive experience in both of these areas and can help you resolve your separation quickly and with as little fallout as possible.
Contact Us
The Law Offices of Karen D. Amos is a family law practice servicing Howard County and surrounding counties in Maryland. We work closely with our clients to ensure they receive the best legal advice and services possible. If you have questions about our services or would like to schedule a consultation, give us a call at (240) 786-4934 or contact us on the website.
