During a divorce, issues such as child custody and child support payments are determined with the help of your lawyer in Owings Mills . However, when a child’s eligibility for child support has ended, the parent responsible for such payments can petition to terminate the obligation for continued support under Maryland child support law.

If you wish to terminate child support, you must file a court form that states the reason why the support is no longer necessary. These reasons can include the child’s age, marital status, or even his ability to self-support without additional financial assistance. You can find out more about the process of terminating child support mandated by your divorce agreement and how your family attorney can help you if your former spouse or child dispute your request by watching this short video.

In the United States, it is estimated that up to 50% of first marriages end in divorce, while up to 60% of second marriages end in divorce. While there are many reasons a couple may choose divorce, there are several common factors that often come into play during this process. If you are considering divorce, working with an experienced family attorney near Owings Mills is the best way to ensure this process proceeds quickly and smoothly, regardless of your reasons for divorce.

Lack of Commitment

Many couples cite a “lack of commitment” to the marriage and to each other as a major cause for ending their marriage. This lack of commitment may take many forms, from the avoidance of arguments and problems to poor scheduling with respect to spending time together as a couple. When partners do not feel that they hold a significant place in each other’s lives and minds, this feeling often becomes a major underlying contributor to divorce.

Infidelity

Infidelity is another commonly-cited reason that couples opt to end their marriage. Whether one or both spouses are guilty of infidelity, the discovery of an affair or the intention to have an affair often irreparably damages the trust between the couple, leading them to pursue a divorce.

Abuse

Abusive behavior may be a major or a minor contributing factor to marriage annulment. This behavior can include abusive comments or language, as well as physical and sexual abuse. Especially if abuse is a factor in your decision to end your marriage, hiring a family attorney to help with your case can prevent an abusive spouse from retaining child custody rights after the divorce.

If you are considering a divorce, contacting a divorce lawyer should be the first step in this process. Your lawyer can help you draft a divorce agreement that includes the spousal support and child custody terms you want, as well as help to provide divorce mediation if you and your spouse disagree on any issues surrounding your separation.

If you are about to get divorced, it can feel overwhelming. Even if the separation is agreed upon mutually, chances are there are many things in your life that will change as a result of the divorce. Though some people choose to get divorced online thinking that it will save them time and money, it can actually do more harm than good. Online divorce forms are simplistic, and do not take into account the nuances of your relationship, assets, and financial situation. By consulting a divorce attorney in Owings Mills , you can feel confident that your bests interests will be represented, resulting in a fair and timely divorce agreement. Check out this infographic to learn more about why you should work with a divorce lawyer instead of seeking a divorce online.

Child support law is different from state to state, although parents in every state have a legal obligation to support their children. In Maryland, divorce law establishes a set of guidelines that the court is required to apply in order to arrive at the amount of the payment. When you consult a family law attorney near Pikesville, he or she can answer any questions you may have about divorce law and child support payments.

Completing a Financial Statement

The family court requires parents to complete a financial statement , sometimes referred to as a financial affidavit. This document is helpful for organizing your income and expenses. You will be required to provide accurate information about your total monthly income, alimony you are either paying or receiving, and child support you may already be receiving. You should expect to be required to provide documentation supporting these figures, so it is important that they are accurate. The financial statement also requests information on the child’s expenses, including the monthly health insurance premium, extraordinary monthly medical expenses, school and transportation costs, and monthly child care expenses. The child care expenses must arise from work needs. In other words, you can count payments to caregivers who watch your child during your work hours. Extraordinary medical expenses are those that are not covered by insurance and total more than $100 per condition or illness.

Evaluating Imputed Income

Imputed income is income that a spouse does not actually earn, but is capable of earning. In other words, if the other parent of your child chooses not to work, but is not considered disabled, the court may apply imputed income to the child support formula. In order to do so, the court must determine that the other parent is voluntarily impoverished. Evidence of voluntary impoverishment may include the parent’s medical records, level of education, job-seeking efforts, and work history.

Adjusting the Calculated Amount

The court uses all of these factors to calculate the amount of child support that the noncustodial parent is required to pay. However, if the parents have a combined income of more than $15,000 per month, the court is not required to follow this formula. Instead, the court can evaluate the needs of the children to establish an acceptable child support obligation.

Alimony is financial support awarded to one spouse during divorce proceedings to allow him or her to maintain a certain standard of living after the marriage ends. Because alimony is often a very contentious issue, you will need a divorce attorney in Owings Mills to argue for the right kind of alimony for you.

There are a few different types of alimony. Alimony pendente lite is paid during the divorce process but does not ensure that alimony will be awarded when the divorce is complete. Rehabilitative alimony, which is the most common form, is paid post-divorce for a specific period of time to allow the recipient to complete education or job training that will allow him or her to become self-sufficient. Indefinite alimony is typically only awarded if the recipient has an illness or disability that prevents him or her from become self-sufficient. It is also awarded if the court determines that one party’s living standard is significantly disparate from his or her ex. Rehabilitative alimony can be modifiable or non-modifiable, meaning the court may not be able to make any changes to it once it is ordered. However, indefinite alimony is generally modifiable. A divorce lawyer can help you understand which type of alimony is best suited to your needs under Maryland law.