Best Family Law Attorneys in Columbia, MD

Most mediators charge by the hour. Therefore, the cost will range depending on the complexity of your particular case and how you able to reach an agreement.

Collaborative Divorce is a process for separating or divorcing that allows parties to justly and equitably resolve their differences and avoids the necessity of going to court. Collaborative Divorce is designed to resolve the issues in a family breakup using cooperative strategies rather than conflict and litigation. The process is open and mutually respectful. There must be full disclosure and good faith. If needed, jointly selected experts such as child specialist and financial planners are enlisted to assist in finding solutions which focus on the needs of the children and the financial well-being of all involved.

A Marital Separation Agreement spells out your rights and obligations as well as those of your spouse. Additionally, a Marital Separation Agreement can be used as evidence to the court as to your date of separation or your mutual consent to end the marriage. An Marital Separation Agreement leaves no doubt about the details of the ending of your marriage relationship. It is better to have a clearly written detailed agreement, rather than rely on verbal understandings.

If the courts are convinced that both spouses entered into the Marital Separation Agreement without fraud or coercion, the court do not typically review the terms of the agreement to determine its fairness. They do, however, review the terms of the agreement that affect any minor children to confirm that the terms of the agreement are in their best interest.

Marital property is defined as any property acquired by either spouse during the term of the marriage, regardless of how that property is titled. Some property, such as gifts from third parties, inheritance, and property specifically addressed in an agreement, are excluded from a marital property division. It is possible that a piece of property is partially marital and non-marital.