Recent Blog Posts
How to Create a Parenting Plan That Works for Maryland Courts
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important steps is creating a parenting plan that protects their children and meets court requirements. At Fanning Law in Maryland, attorney William C. Fanning Jr. works closely with parents to develop clear, practical parenting plans that reflect their family’s unique needs while aligning with Maryland… Read More »
Limited vs. Absolute Divorce in Maryland Explained
When a marriage breaks down, many people assume divorce is a single legal process. In Maryland, however, there are two distinct types of divorce, limited divorce and absolute divorce. Understanding the difference is essential before you file. At Fanning Law, La Plata family lawyer William C. Fanning Jr. helps clients evaluate their options and… Read More »
What to Expect at Your Maryland Family Court Mediation Session
If you are involved in a custody or family law dispute, the court may require you to attend mediation before your case moves forward. For many parents, this can feel intimidating. At Fanning Law in Maryland, William C. Fanning Jr. helps clients prepare for mediation so they walk in informed, confident, and focused on… Read More »
Ten Factors the Court Considers When Evaluating the Best Interests of Children in Maryland
When parents are involved in a custody dispute, the court’s primary focus is not on what is most convenient for either parent. The guiding principle is the best interests of the child. At Fanning Law in Maryland, William C. Fanning Jr. helps parents understand how judges evaluate custody cases and what factors can influence… Read More »
A Practical Guide to Calculating Child Support in Maryland
When parents separate or divorce, child support is often one of the most important and sometimes confusing issues to address. In Maryland, the court uses specific guidelines to determine support amounts, ensuring that children receive adequate financial care while balancing the parents’ responsibilities. At Fanning Law in Maryland, William C. Fanning Jr. helps clients… Read More »
When Enough is Enough: How Maryland’s Protective Order Process Works
Feeling unsafe in your own home or in your daily life is something no one should have to endure. Whether the threat is coming from a spouse, a partner, a family member, or someone you once trusted, Maryland law provides a legal mechanism designed to put distance between you and the person causing you… Read More »
Your Marriage Ended But Your Child’s Future Did Not: How to Split College Expenses After a Divorce in Maryland
Few conversations in a post-divorce co-parenting relationship carry more financial weight than the one about college. Tuition, room and board, textbooks, fees, and living expenses can add up to a staggering amount, and when two parents who are no longer together have to figure out how to divide those costs, things can get complicated… Read More »
What is the Difference Between Physical and Legal Custody in Maryland?
When parents separate or divorce, the word custody gets used constantly, but it rarely gets explained clearly. Most people assume custody means one thing, which parent the child lives with. In reality, custody in Maryland encompasses two entirely separate concepts that can be divided, shared, and arranged in ways that do not always mirror… Read More »
More Than a Number: What Maryland Judges Actually Consider When Awarding Spousal Support
Divorce is rarely just an emotional process. It is a financial one too, and for many couples, the question of spousal support sits at the center of some of the most difficult conversations that have to be had. Whether you are the spouse who may be paying support or the one who may need… Read More »
When the Hardest Part Is Not the Divorce Itself: Dealing With a High-Conflict Spouse in Maryland
Most people going through a divorce just want it to be over. They want a fair resolution, a chance to move forward, and as little drama as possible along the way. But when one spouse is determined to fight over everything, refuses to communicate reasonably, uses the children as leverage, or treats every step… Read More »