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Parenting Plan

Feb 19

Parenting Plans & Separation Agreements


By: Valerie E. Anias, Esq.

On October 1, 2018, Maryland Law expanded divorce by Mutual Consent to permit couples with minor children to divorce without waiting the formerly required one-year so long as they settled all marital issues and issues concerning the children including child support, physical custody and legal custody. 

Now, more than ever, Courts are going to want to see detailed and thorough separation agreements which completely capture the settlement arrangement between parties related to the details of their marriage and children.  Parties can create an all encompassing Voluntary Property Settlement and Separation Agreement as well as a Parenting Plan in order to ensure the entirety of their agreement is completely captured.

A Separation Agreement resolves all marital issues.  You and your spouse will want ot discuss and settle various issues concerning marital property, child custody, child access schedule, and child support.  Examples of marital property are joint bank accounts, cars, real property, debt, retirement, and alimony.  

When determining custody and access, Parenting Plans encourage parents to focus on the needs of their children, how best to co-parent, and how to anticipate and/or address the various changes in their lives at the time of its creation and in the future.

            Frequently parties obtain their divorce, receive their Judgment of Absolute Divorce, and some form of an access schedule, holiday schedule, and child support.  What happens when this changes?  What about claiming the children on your taxes?  What about switching schools?  Sports?  Doctors?  The Judgment of Absolute Divorce is frequently silent on many of these issues which results in continuous litigation.  A well-drafted Parenting Plan can resolve many, if not all, of these issues.  More importantly, it allows parents to come together as parents – not as spouses.  They may no longer be spouses but they will always be parents.

            Attorneys and mediators can help you and your family create a Separation Agreement and/or Parenting Plan that best suits your family dynamic and situation.  Additionally, attorneys and mediators often know what questions to ask, problems to prepare for, things to consider that many parents in the moment don’t think about.  Most importantly, settling the disputes between the spouses when it comes to them as parents also make the divorce process less painful for children.  Their parents may not be married but their family will have consistency and a plan in place.

            Call the attorneys at ERA Law Group, LLC today at (410) 919-1790 and ask how we can help you plan for your family.

Jun 22

#FamilyFriday: Family Support Services

By: Valerie E. Anias, Esq.

Families often wonder what resources are out there to help them in the midst of a family related litigation case.  There are numerous services available that can be requested by either party involved in the litigation and ordered by the Court.  On this week’s #FamilyFriday article, ERA Law Group, LLC discusses some of those services.Read More

Jun 15

#FamilyFriday: ERA’s Fixed Fee Family Services

By: Valerie E. Anias, Esq.

Potential clients are often concerned with the expense associated with resolving their family disputes.  It’s understandable as these matters can accrue substantial legal fees.  In this week’s #FamilyFriday article, ERA Law Group, LLC discusses ways you can mitigate your expenses and how we can help!Read More

Apr 27

#FamilyFriday: What is the “Best Interests of the Child” Standard?

After families separate, parents must decide where their children will live, or custody, and what schedule the children will have with the other parent, or visitation.  Some families can settle this among themselves while others require Court intervention.  Often parents assume the Court will award custody to the mother however, that’s not necessarily the case.  In this week’s #FamilyFriday articleRead More

Nov 17

#FamilyFriday – Split Households & the Holiday Season

It’s difficult for families to decide how to split holidays when they separate.  Neither parent or family want to experience their holidays without their children.  So, what do you do?  What are your options?  On this week’s #FamilyFriday article, the attorneys of ERA Law Group, LLC discuss various options for developing a fair and reasonable access schedule.Read More

Nov 10

#FamilyFriday – Custody Rights Without a Court Order: Common Misconceptions

By: Valerie E. Anias, Esq.

You and the other parent have a child together.  You separate or break up but never file any court action.  What are your rights? What about the other parent?  What many people don’t know is that in the absence of a court order both parents have an equal right to legal custody and physical custody of their minor child.  On this week’s #FamilyFriday article the attorneys of ERA Law Group, LLC want to help clear up some common misconceptions.Read More

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