Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Dawn Renee Gould
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: Pregnant stay at home mom.

My sister is a pregnant (7 months) stay at home mom of 3 girls (babygirl due in October). Her husband was caught cheating on the same day my sister told him she was pregnant. She’s had a part time job for the last year in efforts to transition back into the work force. Now she has a high risk... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 30, 2019

The Court must consider several factors in custody and the upmost factor is the best interest of the children. The court will consider things like money to be able to care for the children, but that's what child support is for. The court will also consider the fitness of the parent, character... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support for Maryland on
Q: Am I still obligated to pay child support if my child graduates from high school at the age of 17? I live in MD.
Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 30, 2019

Support continues until the child either graduates from high school, turns 19, emancipates, dies, or marries. So, no, if your child graduated from high school, then your obligation to pay should stop. But if you have a court order to pay and your wages are being garnished, you need to file to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: What can I do to see my kids even when the mother says no

She doesn't have a stable home she does not work

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 29, 2019

Your question is very vague. Is there already a court order in place? Is there is a contractual agreement between you two? If there is not a court order, you need to file a complaint for access/visitation/custody. If there is a court order and she is violating it, you need to file contempt and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Maryland on
Q: In Maryland can we do our own seperation agreement
Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 29, 2019

You not only can do your own separation agreement but if it goes to court you can represent yourself. There are no laws requiring an attorney to draft anything or an attorney to represent you. However, keep in mind, if you do not seek legal advice on drafting it or do not have an attorney draft it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Maryland on
Q: Does the State of MD take into consideration if noncustodial parent has custody of 3 children when doing support

He has custody of 3 children but also has 3 other children and that parent has filed for child support. Will they take in consideration that he has those 3 other children?

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 24, 2019

He can ask for a deviation based on who is living in household and the expenses, but those children he has custody of will not be considered in guidelines at all.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Maryland on
Q: Money owed to me for child support was used by the enforcement agency to pay an economic assistence debt. Is that legal?

I am not aware that I have any economic assistance debt. I am owed $2591.69 and noticed there was a drop of about $1700 so its down to $891.69 but I have not received any payments. Last payment was in June.

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 18, 2019

You're only recourse is to talk to your agent at the enforcement agency, DSS, social services. Everyone is assigned an agent. If you don't get anywhere with that agent then ask to speak to the supervisor. If you don't get anywhere with the supervisor then ask to speak with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Cancelling vacation schedule after confirming it?

The divorce settlement between my ex and I states she has one (summer) vacation week that she has to give 30 days notice to me for. A few weeks ago, she emailed the vacation week she will be taking; however, a week later, emailed again that she will no longer take the vacation the week she... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 17, 2019

Unfortunately, you won't get a court hearing within 2 weeks so you can't get an immediate resolution through the courts. You can however advise her that she is to STILL take your child the week that she said she was going to take your child and advise her that even though she may not be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Hello, if I’ve filed for emergency modification of custody and Im not Receiving child support will they address it?

if I’ve filed for emergency modification of custody as the custodial parent and Im not Receiving child support will they address it in the emergency hearing or do I need file a separate request for them to establish child support? I previously was paying it to the mom before Custody was... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 14, 2019

You need to file to terminate the child support that you were paying to mom and you need to file to establish child support for mom to pay you. They will not address child support in a custody hearing unless you also filed for child support.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: If a non custodial parent dies. Can I get child support court ordered from the spouse of the deceased non custodial?
Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 12, 2019

No. But, if you have a judgment for any child support that is owed, you may be able to collect from the non-custodial parent's estate IF there is an estate.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: What's a formal format letter for custody to be notarized vs going thru legal court system

What's the legal binding of this type of agreement

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 17, 2019

You can definitely have a notarized document regarding custody, but I would never advise that. I would advise to have an attorney draft a Parenting Agreement (access, legal custody, and physical custody). Custody is more than just where the child lays his/her head at night. it can be very... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Divorce and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Im A 33yr old married woman and my husband is incarcerated currently but he will be released some time next month

he claims that he has won a law suite against the baltimoe police dept and won how do I find out if this is true or not?

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 8, 2019

If you are planning to remain married to him, the only way to find out is to go online to Maryland Judiciary public case search and see if there was in fact a lawsuit. If you are planning on divorcing him, that information can be obtained though the discovery process.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Maryland on
Q: I’ve been separated from my wife for over 8 years and I want to get a divorce.

I also want to adjust my child support since I’m making much less then I was when I was living in MD and when we filed the paperwork for the amount I would pay, back in 2013

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 8, 2019

If you want to get a divorce and modify your child support, then you must file for divorce and you must file a modification with the court. As there is not an actual question here, I am not sure what advice you are seeking regarding those issues. You may want to schedule a consult with an attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Domestic Violence for Maryland on
Q: What proper/careful steps do I take to make sure an abusive parent/estranged husband is not given custody or visitation?

My children’s father/estranged husband abused me for 18 yrs. My bones have been broken, & I’ve been covered in lumps & bruises. His violent alcoholic abuse turned into countless death threats & he started threatening & physically abusing the boys & my disabled Mother. Which... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 8, 2019

It sounds as though you have not filed for divorce yet, so I suggest that you schedule a consult with an attorney who can give you legal advice specific to your situation. You can file for divorce based on cruelty of treatment and request sole legal and sole physical custody. Also as you know, you... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Divorce for Maryland on
Q: I am separated and moving toward the divorce. I make substantially more money than my ex, but she only works part-time.

We have shared custody 50/50, but the monthly child support I pay is significant. Should this be calculated on her earning potential instead of her actual since she chooses to work part time and is using my child support her?

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Jul 8, 2019

If your ex only works part-time but you believe that she can work full-time then you need to prove that to a court and, if the court believes you, then the court should impute full-time wages to her and not part-time wages.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: we have joint custody but the mother has physical custody. Can you move out of state with our 8 year old?
Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 20, 2019

It depends upon what your court order states regarding custody/access and moving. If you have custody/access and her move disrupts/hinders it, then you can file contempt because your access/custody rights have been violated. Carefully read your court order. If you don't have a court order,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Maryland on
Q: Chance of full custody if sons father hasn’t been a part in over a year and has shown no interest of being a part

Sons father wanted an abortion, was verbally suicidal, showed no interest, hasn’t seen son in over a year and recently contacted said he was okay if things stayed the same. He admitted to looking on social media to see sons up bringing but no contact when in state (and at same work place) to see... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 20, 2019

No attorney can guarantee what a court will do. Custody involves many factors and it also depends upon what is testified to at trial by you, him, and witnesses, if there is a trial. Much more information would be needed to assess the probability of you getting court ordered physical and legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: Is there anything mother can do about father allowing child to miss 2 days school for a visit? She has tie breaker.

We have our child for a holiday coming up and then have them for a family event the next week. Their mother wants us to bring back from out of state for just 2 days of school. Then pay to fly them out again for the family event. It’s a lot of unnecessary travel for 2 school days. Do we have to do... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 20, 2019

That's really a loaded question. It depends upon what your custody agreement states regarding access/visitation. If the mother of the child has tie-breaker regarding access/visitation then yes, she can file contempt if you don't bring the child back, again, depending upon what your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: can childsupport be increased if child no longer lives with father, who had joint custody. (kicked child out his house)

child is now 15, was living between two households weekly due to joint custody agreement. Father was paying reduced child support due to joint custody. Father kicked child out his house and child has been living fulltime only (with mom) for over 6 months. Can child-support be re-evaluated and... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 18, 2019

Yes. You can file a motion to modify child support but be prepared to prove with evidence that the child is no longer staying the requisite overnights. As a cautionary measure, I would also file a motion to modify custody. The courts may very well not modify child support until the custody is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Maryland on
Q: Husband left Jan 2019. I'm willing to wait 12 months; however, he is moving out of state. Refuses no-fault option

He has taken all marital property and refuses to negotiate and sign an agreement. I do not have money to hire PI to prove adultery, and he is moving out of state soon. I know I will not know his whereabouts after the 12 month waiting period - what happens if I don't know where to serve final... View More

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 14, 2019

I would file for divorce ASAP so that you can serve him while he is still living here. He will then have to return here for any and all court dates. You can file for a limited divorce if you don't meet the grounds for an absolute divorce and then upon meeting any ground for absolute divorce,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Maryland on
Q: MD vs VA

Ex-wife is attempting to register/modify the child support order in VA, which was issued in MD. I still live in MD. Can I contest the registration/modification process?

Dawn Renee Gould
Dawn Renee Gould
answered on Mar 13, 2019

She can register it another state to enforce, but that state will abide by MD law when modifying it. MD law controls.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.