Monthly Archives: August 2025
Can a Parent Avoid Paying Maryland Child Support by Quitting Their Job?
Maryland courts calculate child support based on the income of both parents. In most cases this means looking at a parent’s actual income, i.e., how much they earn per year at their job or profession. So what happens if a parent quits their job? Does this reduce their child support obligation? The answer to… Read More »
What Is “Dissipation” of Marital Assets in a Maryland Divorce?
In any Maryland divorce case there needs to be a division and distribution of marital property as part of any final settlement or judgment. When the parties cannot reach a settlement on their own, a judge must make an “equitable”–though not necessarily equal–division of the marital property. And one factor that the court may… Read More »
How Does “Tie-Breaking Authority” Work in Maryland Child Custody Cases?
Maryland child custody law makes a distinction between physical and legal custody. Physical custody determines who the child lives with and how much time they spend with each parent. Legal custody, in contrast, deals with the division of decision-making authority. For example, if parents have shared legal custody they must agree on certain major… Read More »
Can You Be Held in Contempt for Failing to Pay Child Support in Maryland?
Child support is a legal obligation. Among other things, this means that a parent who willfully defies a court order to pay child support can be found in contempt of court. Maryland law classifies contempt as either “direct” or “constructive.” The former, direct contempt, refers to acts of contempt committed directly in the presence… Read More »