Child Support: The amount of child support that is paid is based on a calculation developed by the Maryland State Legislature. This calculation is based on each parent's yearly income, the cost of health insurance, the cost of work-related child care, any extra-ordinary medical expenses, and the number of overnights the children reside with each parent. Child support will only be ordered back to the date of filing a request for child support with the court. If you are not currently receiving child support, but are entitled to child support, it is important that you contact our office as soon as possible so a child support case can be filed on your behalf. The longer you wait to file for child support, the less money you will be entitled to receive.

Alimony: There are two types of alimony, (1) permanent and (2) rehabilitative. Permanent alimony is awarded in cases where there is great disparity in income, the parties have been married for a long time, and it is unlikely that the economically disadvantaged spouse will be able to secure a change in employment where his/her income will increase. This type of alimony is not common. Rehabilitative alimony is more often awarded. This type of alimony is provided in order for the economically disadvantaged spouse an opportunity to gain additional education or training in order to secure a higher income job. 

Separation Agreements: Separation agreements are legal contracts between the spouses where the parties decide the terms of the end of their marriage rather then a judge. It is always preferable to enter into a separation agreement if possible as it saves a great deal of money in legal fees and allows the parties to determine the outcome of the end of their marriage, rather then a judge. Separation agreements generally resolve all issues of division of marital property, marital debt, alimony, as well as any issues related to custody or child support.