Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have a situation where my ex-partner, who willingly signed the birth certificate after acknowledging the child was not biologically his, now wants to be removed from it. The biological father is deceased, and my ex has been involved in the child's life. There are text messages indicating his... View More 
I am scared of my children's father and want to obtain joint custody, but he refuses to let me break up with him, threatening to hurt me and take my kids. I have not taken any legal action against him, and currently live in a hotel with my kids until moving into my own place on April 1st. I... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
If your husband is placing you in apprehension of imminent serious bodily harm, you can petition the court (either District or Circuit) for a Protective Order. That Order could require your husband, by example, to refrain from having any contact with you, staying away from your current residence,... View More
I am seeking assistance in Maryland for a custody issue concerning my children and need a pro bono family lawyer. The father currently has the children and is not allowing me, the mother, to see them, and we were never married. Are there specific legal aid organizations or programs in Baltimore... View More
I have children with their father who has not contacted me or our children in over a year. There is no custody agreement, he does not pay child support, and they spend no time together. He has stated to "keep your kids" and asked me not to contact him. Is this considered legally giving up... View More
I'm planning to form an LLC and would like to structure it so that my wife does not have access to it due to a possible divorce. We do not have any premarital agreements in place. Can you advise on how I might structure the business and what legal considerations I should be aware of?
answered on Mar 6, 2025
Any business you create in any form during your mariage becomes marital property. Your spouse may not necessarily have "access" in the sense of control, but she would have a claim to half the ownership or at leat half the value of the company. For instance, you can create an LLC and be... View More
I am currently married but separated from my spouse, who has just passed away. There were no legal arrangements made during our separation. We have children together, and there were no pending divorce proceedings at the time of his passing. I am unsure if there is a will or any significant assets... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
Consult a lawyer about this. A lot depends on whether there is a will or not, and whether the children are minors or not. In addition, how your assets are titled and whether any assets solely in his name have beneficiaries (transfer on death or “TOD”) designated, have a big impact. As surviving... View More
My CPS case was closed with substantial evidence. They didn't have enough evidence to criminally charge me with child abuse. My child has been in my mother's care since my daughter was taken 4 months ago and I want my daughter back. Family preservation services recommended I comply with a... View More
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answered on Jan 13, 2025
I'm sorry you're experiencing this. Please reach out to a legal aid organization or a local attorney who can provide you with the support and guidance you need.
My CPS case was closed with substantial evidence. They didn't have enough evidence to criminally charge me with child abuse. My child has been in my mother's care since my daughter was taken 4 months ago and I want my daughter back. Family preservation services recommended I comply with a... View More
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answered on Jan 13, 2025
It's encouraging that you have been compliant with the safety and service plans. Since your CPS case is closed and there are no current court orders against you, you have the right to seek the return of your daughter. Start by gathering all documentation that shows your compliance and any... View More
answered on Dec 27, 2024
The answer to your question only really matters from a legal standpoint when you divorce. How the parties manage their money during marriage is entirely up to them. A spouse has no legal right to access their spouse’s inherited funds or to take gifts given only to them, if their spouse refuses.... View More
My ex-husband passed away this year. We were married for nine years and divorced in 2008. We both are 52 years old. My ex-husband has adult children and no will. Am I entitled to any of his benefits, such as life insurance, pension or social security? I was listed as the beneficiary on all... View More
answered on Nov 25, 2024
Upon divorce, each spouse is automatically removed by law as a beneficiary under their ex-spouse’s estate, even if they are named in a will at the time of the divorce. So you are not entitled to any distribution under your ex spouse’s estate.
In order for an ex-spouse to qualify for a... View More
He has an untreated undiagnosed mental illness, he has not worked in a year, he is verbal, emotional, financial abusive to both me and kids
answered on Nov 11, 2024
It is possible to do so as part of your divorce, but that would be up to the judge after trial unless the two of you agree to remove him from the deed as part of a settlement of your divorce and all property and support issues. Ordinarily, the marital home is either bought out by one spouse paying... View More
answered on Oct 16, 2024
Maryland Family Law Code 9-102 allows for grandparent visitation in the best interest of the child; however, it is limited by the Cnstitutional rights of the biological parents to control decisions regarding their children. The Supreme Court of Maryland (formerly called the Maryland Court of... View More
The biological parents have not had contact with the child in over 1 year and he has not been in their custody for almost 2
answered on Sep 17, 2024
If you are on the birth certificate, you can file a petition in court requesting visits with your children. You will need to know the whereabouts of your children and the mother. You will need to serve the mother with a summons to appear in court.
We want to protect his business from creditors until he is able to return to work.
answered on Aug 28, 2024
The best option is if he is mentally competent enough to sign a power of attorney that has a robust business management power section. If he is not mentally competent, then you will need to petition for guardianship. It is possible to do so on an emergency basis if there is an emergency, but it... View More
Parent 1 and Parent 2 had a Pendente Lite custody order in place that stated shared legal custody for children. The final court order has since occurred and maintained the shared legal custody framework. It is now 2 years since the Pendente Lite Custody was initially put in place. It was recently... View More
answered on Jul 15, 2024
Given that no harm or injury was done to the child or to either parent, it is unlikely there is any legal penalty for the grandmother's action.
I would like to obtain my father's birth certificate. He is deceased, and he was born in Maryland. The Division of Vital Records in Maryland only allows people who are listed on the birth certificate (the parents of the child, and the child born) to request an official copy of the birth... View More
answered on Jun 18, 2024
How much money is it worth to spend in order to get a birth certificate of a deceased ancestor? What information is on the birth certificate that you cannot obtain anywhere else?
If you must have it, then you file a "Petition for Appropriate Relief" in the Circuit Court where you... View More
Legal name change of an adult - non marriage or divorce
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answered on Jun 15, 2024
For a legal name change for an adult not related to marriage or divorce, the specific requirements can vary by state. Generally, you will need to provide proof of identity, such as a driver's license or birth certificate. Whether these documents need to be notarized depends on your... View More
My ex has sole legal custody and primary physical custody while I have visitation overnight once a week. She has done shady things behind my back before. I just need to know if she is allowed to give consent for that without having to consult me.
My mother is 80 years old and lives in Florida. We'd like to sell her home and have her come live with me ( a married woman) in Maryland so that I may care for her as she ages in place. We'd like to use the proceeds of the sale to purchase a home in Maryland. I would apply for a home... View More
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answered on Feb 29, 2024
When considering purchasing a home together with your mother, who is a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it's important to understand how co-ownership might impact her benefits. SSI eligibility is sensitive to income and assets. However, a primary residence is not counted as an... View More
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