Clarksburg, MD Divorce Attorney
Knowledgeable Divorce Lawyers Representing Clients in Clarksburg, MD
Divorce can bring out a lot of strong feelings. Fear, anger, resentment, and disappointment are all common. You might be anxious about whether you will get a fair divorce decree and what your life will be like after it is over, especially if you are a father hoping to maximize your time with your children. You are likely angry at your spouse for how they have acted since one of you filed for divorce, and may be harboring a good deal of resentment about how you were treated during your marriage. Most people are disappointed that their marriage did not last like they thought it would. All of this is completely normal.
While you are taking care of your emotional health, you need a highly knowledgeable and hands-on divorce lawyer to look out for your legal interests. Our experienced Clarksburg, MD divorce lawyers fully understand each issue that will need to be resolved and how to overcome any obstacles you might encounter. Diamant Gerstein, LLC's attorneys always answer phone calls personally and we are available 24/7, so your lawyer is always accessible to you.
Dividing Marital Assets in Maryland
First, you and your spouse have the option of dividing your marital property out-of-court by mutual agreement. If you are able to reach an agreement on each issue in your divorce, you can file an uncontested divorce. Filing an uncontested divorce means you do not need to go to court to get divorced. When you choose to divide your marital property through mediation or attorney-led negotiation, you can decide for yourselves what type of division is fair.
If you need the court to help you divide your marital assets, a lot of different factors can come into play. Maryland is an equitable division state, meaning that a judge has fairly broad discretion to divide marital property in a way that he or she believes is fair to both parties. The court will consider things like how each spouse contributed to the family, financially or otherwise, and what caused the divorce. How a court will divide marital property can be a bit unpredictable because the process is so subjective.
Resolving Child Custody Issues During Divorce
Child custody issues can be challenging to resolve. Many people will give up property for the sake of getting a divorce over with, but very few would give up time with their children. However, co-parents who are determined to do what is best for their children can generally come up with a child custody plan that they are both willing to agree to. Resolving your child custody issues out of court can insulate your child from the conflict between you, as he or she will not need to testify or meet with a guardian ad litem.
If you are negotiating child custody with a narcissist, it is critical to have an experienced attorney by your side. Narcissists are often willing to use their children as a means of coercion to get their way.
Should you proceed with a contested divorce, the court will take care to award child custody based on what is in your child's best interests. The judge will consider factors like who the child's primary caregiver was, the physical and psychological fitness of each parent, and each parent's ability to maintain family relationships. If your child is old enough and mature enough, the court will also consider his or her preferences.
Contact a Clarksburg, MD Divorce Attorney
Diamant Gerstein, LLC is committed to providing zealous advocacy to people who are going through difficult divorces. Our experienced Clarksburg, MD divorce lawyers will work closely with you to protect your interests. Contact us at 301-560-2685 for a confidential consultation.