Family Law Matters
Child Support
Parents in Maryland are required to provide financial support for their children, regardless of where they reside. We will work with you to understand the circumstances that can impact a support obligation, and advocate for your needs.
Alimony/Spousal Support
Unlike child support, spousal support is not statutorily mandated. There are many factors that go into considering whether or not an alimony award is warranted and is unique to each case. Schmidt Law will work with you to understand those factors and how the Maryland courts use these factors when determining whether or not to award alimony. Alimony can be awarded on a temporary, rehabilitative or permanent basis. We will work with you to achieve feasible solutions and fight for your financial protection.
Adoption
The adoption process in Maryland is where you seek the Court's decree to accept a child not born to you into your family and be listed as the legal parent(s) of a child. This process is the beginning of legally establishing years of happiness as a family. These matters require sensitivity to the laws applied to them, while managing the difficulties that can come with the paperwork process.
Enforcement
While we hope that all parties will adhere to either Court Orders or terms of agreements, that is not always the case. We can assist you in deciding what option is best in pursuing enforcement of your court orders and what remedies are available to you. Contempt actions are a nuanced area of law that may not always be the right course of action; however, enforcement and consequences for failures to adhere to orders are feasible.
Prenuptial Agreements
The process of obtaining a prenuptial agreement provides safety and security for couples moving forward. Divorce is never expected when a couple is on the precipice of marriage; however, safeguarding your assets and property in the event a divorce occurs is smart. When individuals have significant assets, it is wise to consider these options for such protections. A prenuptial agreement can streamline a divorce process in the event one was to occur.
Name Change
Outside of the divorce or adoption process, we can assist you with changing your legal name. The process is relatively straightforward if you are an adult wishing to change your name. Changing the name of a minor child may be longer and more complex, in that it should serve the best interests of the child. We are here to assist in overcoming some of the hurdles through the process of a name change.
