Author Archives: Amos Whitney
How Old Does My Child Have to be to Decide Where They Will Live?
Any attorney who regularly practices family law has heard some version of the question: how old does my child have to be to decide which parent they will live with? The answer, not surprisingly, can depend very much on the circumstances facing the particular family. Ultimately, the child’s preference is one factor in the… Read More »
A Glossary of Definitions for the 10 Most Frequently Misunderstood Maryland Family Law Terms
Incorporated But Not Merged: Maryland Attorneys often request that the Court incorporate, but not merge, an Agreement into a Court Order. The request can be made for any type of an Agreement; a Marital Settlement Agreement, a Custody Agreement, a Temporary Agreement, a Post-Nuptial Agreement, or a Child Support Agreement, for example. We do… Read More »
Meghan, Harry, and our Fascination with Gossip
It seems like all we’ve heard and talked about this last week has been Meghan Markel, Prince Harry (can we still call him a Prince?), the Queen, Princess Kate, Prince William, Diana and the rest of Buckingham Palace. What is our fascination with the drama of Britain and the figureheads that really don’t have… Read More »
How to Get the Most Out of Your Divorce/Custody Consult
If you are having a divorce or custody consult, generally your situation has already started to deteriorate. While people consult divorce attorneys at different times (just trying to learn about your rights, wanting to separate and start the process, or the process has already started and you need representation), chances are talking about the… Read More »
Can I Get a Legal Separation?
Can I get a legal separation? The short answer is “no”, but that’s because in Maryland, there is no such thing as a “legal separation”. So what constitutes a separation? You and your spouse living separate and apart with the intention of ending your marriage, and without cohabitation or sexual intercourse during that time…. Read More »
Custody and Access in the Time of Covid-19
Covid-19 has had a monumental impact on almost all aspects of life. Many people have grown accustomed to working from home, going to school from home, and spending lengthy periods of time in quarantine. With all of the regulations and protocols that are in place, how are parents supposed to follow their custody and… Read More »
TOP 10 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR PARENTS INVOLVED IN CUSTODY LITIGATION (CONTESTED OR UNCONTESTED)
Do not disparage your co-parent to your children. Your children are keenly aware (even at a very young age) that they share the characteristics and DNA of both of their parents. Putting down your co-parent is identical to putting down your child and will ultimately diminish your child’s confidence and self-worth. Do check… Read More »
The Divorce Pandemic and Hope for 2021
No one will dispute that this is probably one of the hardest years in decades. It’s not that there haven’t been tough years in the past, it is just in most of our lifetimes, this year has been grueling. It is tough partly because we miss our lives: hugs & affection, our friends, having… Read More »
BUT YOUR HONOR, I HAVE A PRENUP! Kelly Clarkson’s soon-to-be Ex asks for $436,000/month in support
Earlier this year, Kelly Clarkson announced her separation from her husband of seven years, Brandon Blackstock. If you don’t know who Clarkson is, I applaud you for not being consumed by television shows, music, and gossip media – most of us are not that disciplined. Clarkson, the season one winner of American Idol has… Read More »
Keep Money In Your Wallet During the Discovery Phase
One of the most daunting phases of litigation is the discovery phase. Discovery is each party’s opportunity to begin gathering information and evidence from the other party and to begin building their case. The two most commonly used forms of discovery are Interrogatories and Request for Production of Documents. Interrogatories are one party’s opportunity… Read More »
