Key Takeaways A divorce decree must specifically award pension property before a former spouse gains any enforceable claim. The 10/10 Rule determines direct DFAS payments, not whether a pension entitlement exists in the first place. Maryland courts rarely reopen finalized decrees for pension claims absent fraud, mistake, or reserved jurisdiction. Remarriage does not cancel an […]
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Key Takeaways AI divorce tools now surface hidden financial assets in discovery far faster than traditional document review. Digital communications such as texts and emails can be analyzed algorithmically and introduced as custody evidence. Maryland courts still require a licensed attorney to interpret, argue, and apply any AI-generated findings. According to the Maryland Courts, a […]
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Key Takeaways Maryland recognizes irreconcilable differences as a standalone no-fault ground for absolute divorce. Fault-based grounds were eliminated in Maryland in 2023, simplifying how couples can file. Three no-fault paths exist: irreconcilable differences, mutual consent, and six months of separation. Marital fault can still influence alimony decisions even when it does not determine divorce eligibility. […]
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Key Takeaways Pensions earned during the marriage qualify as marital property in Maryland. Courts divide marital property equitably, not necessarily equally. Only the portion earned during the marriage is divisible. A QDRO is required to legally transfer pension benefits between spouses. The Bangs formula determines how Maryland courts calculate the marital share. Decades of retirement […]
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Key Takeaways Grandparents have no automatic visitation rights in Maryland Courts grant visitation only when it serves the child’s best interests Parents hold a constitutional presumption over their children’s relationships Grandparents must prove parental unfitness or exceptional circumstances Divorce proceedings can accelerate a grandparent’s visitation petition Few things hurt more than losing access to a […]
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Key Takeaways Financial moves have consequences: How a wife handles money during separation can affect what she walks away with. Social media is not private: Posts, photos, and messages can be pulled into a Maryland divorce case. Children notice everything: Using them as messengers or limiting the other parent’s access can hurt a custody case. […]
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