For many Maryland spouses, living in an unhappy marriage has defined the past few years of their lives. It can be difficult to know when enough is enough, and when the best route to happiness lies in filing for divorce. Recent research suggests that divorce is now more socially acceptable than ever before. That could make it easier for spouses to reach a decision about filing for divorce and seeking alimony and/or child support.
One state compels collaboration in divorce, child custody cases
Family courts in Maryland and across the nation are overburdened by packed dockets, staffing challenges, cases that take far longer than anticipated and a limited number of hours in the workweek. In many parts of the nation, efforts are taken to reduce the stress that divorce and child custody cases place on the judicial system. One state has passed a new law that compels spouses to at least attempt a collaborative approach prior to coming before the courts.
Good parenting could improve child custody outcomes
When it comes to a custody fight, Maryland parents are often inundated with unsolicited advice. Very often, those pieces of advice are simply too little, too late. The actions that parents take throughout the lives of their children are usually more important in a child custody case than anything that is said or done once the paperwork is filed. In many ways, the advice that can have the greatest impact during a divorce applies to the way that a parent behaves throughout the marriage.
Prenuptial agreements can be part of an estate plan
For many Maryland families, protecting their base of wealth is a top priority. This is understandable, as many families have worked hard for decades to build their wealth or to broaden the base of inherited wealth. The prospect of losing a significant portion of those assets is a distressing prospect, and an issue that arises when a family is considering estate planning options. One tool that can be employed to protect wealth are prenuptial agreements as part of an estate plan.
