Law Office of Silverman & Cook

Family Law and Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions

Family Law and personal injury case protocol can be difficult to understand at times. For this reason, the Law Office of Silverman & Cook has provided answers for three of your most frequently asked questions:

Does Maryland have a "no-fault" divorce?

Two kinds of "no-fault" divorce exist under Maryland law. First, either party in a marriage can obtain an absolute divorce after one year of voluntary and mutual separation with no expectation of reconciliation.  Both parties must agree to separate and do so without any coercion with the intent to end the marriage. Second, either spouse can obtain an absolute divorce after two years of separation for any reason whatsoever.

What is a legal separation?

A legal separation usually refers to a contract that the separating parties sign called a separation agreement. This agreement settles such issues as marital property rights, spousal support issues, and other issues connected with the separation but the parties are not yet divorced and will need to obtain one.

I was injured in an accident. How do I know if I have a case?

If you have been injured in an accident which you believe is another party's fault, then you may have a personal injury case. The other party must have been guilty of negligence or intentional harm towards you. The other party may be a person, company, or their property or pet. As with any case, you would need to consult a Howard County personal injury attorney at our firm for a full determination about your potential case.

To learn more about family law, divorce, or personal injury issues, contact the Law Office of Silverman & Cook. We are family and personal injury lawyers who can answer all of your important questions and support you through the legal process.

Legal Resources: Child Custody, Divorce Myths and Visitation Rights

Though the prospect of ending a marriage may seem difficult, the divorce process itself doesn’t have to be. By hiring a skilled attorney, you’ll be taking much of the stress involved with divorce off of your shoulders. For more information, check out these additional resources.

• Are you fighting for child custody? These tips from About.com can help.
• Some falsely claim that half of all marriages end in divorce. Learn more common divorce myths at this page from the Huffington Post.
• Are you feeling stressed out about your divorce? Calm your nerves with this article from BlogsonDivorce.com.
• Considering all of the intense emotions surrounding most divorces, being civil can be extremely difficult. This article from Kiplinger.com can help you and your former spouse reach a civil agreement.
• How can you establish visitation rights during your divorce? Find out at this page from DivorceNet.com.

For more information, call the Law Office of Silverman & Cook at (443) 426-4503. 

How to Establish Child Visitation Rights During Your Divorce

Though divorces are already complicated affairs, they become even more complicated when children are involved. After disputing child custody, parents need to then work out a visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent. Considering the extreme emotions that are present during most divorce proceedings, this can be extremely difficult. Here’s how you can establish visitation rights during divorce. 

• Work Out a Visitation Schedule: Though one parent is inevitably given custody, it’s important that the other parent plays a significant role in the child’s life. With most divorces, the parents of the children work out a visitation schedule among themselves. A good visitation schedule works around each parent’s lifestyle, as well as the child’s. 
• Establish Court-Appointed Visitation: If the parents are unable to come to an agreement, the court may then be forced to come up with a workable visitation schedule. Though this is an easy solution, it may not be the best one, since the court cannot possibly know all of the complexities of your schedule and lifestyle.
• Hire a Lawyer: If you and your former spouse can’t have a civil discussion and are unable to agree on a visitation schedule, it’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer. Your lawyer and your former spouse’s lawyer can then confer and reach an agreement that represents each party’s best interests. That way, you’re sure to get enough time with your child without an ugly emotional mess.

If you’re looking for a professional attorney to help you get fair visitation rights, contact the Law Office of Silverman & Cook. Don’t let yourself be shut out of a relationship with your child—give us a call today at (443) 426-4503.

3 Ways You Can Make Your Divorce Less Stressful

Though significantly less stressful than trying to make a strained marriage work, divorce can still be difficult. In addition to making decisions about money, property, and child custody, you’re probably harboring deep, complex emotions. Here are a few ways you can make your divorce much less stressful.  

Educate Yourself

Many people feel especially stressed during divorce proceedings because they’re not exactly sure what they’re getting into. For example, many divorcés feel extraordinary stress because they imagine that half of their belongings may be lost if they aren’t aggressive in court. Before and during the divorce process, it’s important that you dispel as many divorce myths as you can by doing research or speaking with a knowledgeable attorney.   

Seek Counseling

Perhaps the hardest part of a divorce is dealing with your intense emotions. You may have a difficult time understanding how you have grown to resent someone you once loved so dearly. For help sorting out your emotions and dealing with your spouse, it’s always a good idea to visit a skilled psychologist. Odds are, you’ll feel much more relaxed and be able to look at the divorce from a completely different perspective.

Hire a Lawyer

A divorce is probably at its most stressful when you try to handle it all yourself. In order to get a unique outside perspective, you should hire an attorney to help with the proceedings every step of the way. A good lawyer isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re being unreasonable and will fight for your best interests until the divorce is settled.

If you’re looking for a skilled lawyer to help you bear the burden of your divorce, contact us at the Law Office of Silverman & Cook. We’ve helped the citizens of Columbia, Maryland reach amicable divorce agreements—give us a call today at (443) 426-4503, and we can help you too. 

Dads Divorce Live: Common Divorce Myths

Getting a divorce is always a difficult and stressful decision; however, it’s not as bad as you might think. There are a lot of rumors out there concerning divorce and how it affects your finances.  

In this short video from DadsDivorce.com, host Matt Allen and Attorney Jennifer Paine dispel a few of the most common divorce myths. For example, Jennifer Paine assures us that nice guys do not finish last—in fact, a judge may be more inclined to rule in favor of the more reasonable party.

If you’re considering a divorce, contact us at the Law Office of Silverman & Cook. Unlike larger firms, we can provide you with personal attention and service through this difficult time. Give us a call today at (443) 426-4503 for a free consultation.