Montgomery County Family Lawyer
Family law is a broad category of law that deals with domestic relations and family matters. Because of this, family law issues can be sensitive, highly emotional, and extremely complex.Â
However, you don’t have to face them alone. With the support of an experienced family law attorney, these often tense and contentious matters can be resolved in your best interest. If you have questions about a family law matter, you can contact Shah & Kishore for information about your rights and how we can help you.
Why Choose Shah & Kishore?
- At Shah & Kishore, our guiding philosophy is to Deliver Peace of Mind.
- Our team firmly believes that keeping the family structure as intact as possible after the separation is best for everyone. While we are aggressive and experienced family law litigators, our approach is Amicable First, Tough Second, to get faster, less expensive, and less stressful results for our clients.
- We listen, we care, and we deliver results for our clients – all in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
If you are looking for a Montgomery County, Maryland family law attorney, call our firm today at (301) 315-0001. We will get back to you promptly, and your initial consultation is free.
What Kinds of Cases Does a Family Law Attorney Handle?
As previously mentioned, family law covers a wide range of issues involving family and domestic relationships. However, some of the most common matters include:
Divorce
When a couple decides to end their marriage in divorce, there are many issues that must be resolved as they go their separate ways, including the type of divorce that is right for them. In Maryland, there are two types of divorce: absolute and limited. Depending upon the divorcing couples’ circumstances, other issues may need to be resolved such as support, custody and property division.
Some couples are able to determine these issues on their own, but others need the help of a Montgomery County divorce attorney.
In relatively rare cases, a special action known as annulment can establish that your marriage never existed. While Maryland courts are reluctant to gran an annulment, it may be granted if prof that the marriage was invalid or voidable.
A marriage is invalid if:
- Either party was legally married to someone else at the time of the ceremony;
- Either party was legally insane or otherwise mentally incompetent to enter the contract.
- The parties are related by birth or marriage within impermissible degrees
A marriage is voidable (meaning that a court can declare it to be invalid after a victimized party challenges it’s validity) if:
- Either party was under the age of 18, except when the underage party had parental consent and was at least 16 years of age with parental consent or the underage party had parental consent and a physician’s certification of pregnancy
- Either party was physically incapable of intercourse;
- Consent was induced through force or fraud
- Either party lacked the understanding to consent
- The marriage ceremony was performed by a party without the legal authority to perform it.
Prenuptial Agreements and Postnuptial Agreements
Sometimes, couples agree and enter into a contract on how their assets will be divided in case they divorce or one of them dies. When this happens before a marriage, it is called a prenuptial agreement. If it happens when the couple is already married, it is known as a postnuptial agreement.
Like every type of contract, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements depend on each party’s bargaining power. Our Montgomery County prenuptial agreement attorney knows the law and what you are entitled to. They can ensure that your interests are protected before you sign one of these agreements.
Child Custody & Child Support
Child custody and child support involve the parents of a minor or dependent child, whether the parents were married or not. A family law attorney can help you protect your right to be a part of your child’s life, and ensure that the child is financially provided for.
In Maryland, parenting plans are used for parents to coordinate how to handle child custody issues. It allows them to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child on:
- Physical custody or parenting time: When the child spends time with each parent
- Legal Custody: Who gets decision-making authority and how important decisions will be made in the future
- Resolving conflict
If the spouses can agree, they can submit a written agreement to the court, where a judge will review it while considering the best interest of the child. After review, the plan will be incorporated into the court order, making the terms of the parenting plan enforceable.
If the parties cannot come to an agreement on terms, they must file a form entitled Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning the Decision-Making Authority and Parenting time that outlines the issues that they agree and disagree on.
Our Montgomery County child custody lawyers can assist with your specific case.
Alimony and Spousal Support
Alimony, also referred to as spousal support, is a periodic payment made by one former married party to the other that is meant to help them become self-supporting. In Maryland, both husbands and wives in ending marriages may be required to pay alimony. In most cases, alimony can only be awarded before the final divorce decree is made, meaning that the agreement must be made and signed before the parties are officially divorced. While alimony can be court-ordered, divorcing spouses may make agreements that are broader than the awarded alimony.
Domestic Violence
Your home should be a safe space for you. If you are experiencing violence or aggressive behavior in your home, you may feel trapped and out of options. Our Montgomery County domestic violence lawyer can help to safely get you the full extent of physical and emotional protection offered by the law.
Contact Our Montgomery County Maryland Family Law Attorney
If you are experiencing any family law issues and need to speak with a family law attorney in Montgomery County, call Shah & Kishore at (301) 315-0001 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced Maryland family law attorney is waiting to speak with you.