Prior to the pandemic, the Court conducted home studies and custody evaluations in-person allowing evaluators to interact with the parties, children and get a feel for home environments. This insight provided to judges and magistrates through written reports and oral reports usually serves as valuable evidence. In the aftermath of Covid-19, these services are being provided remotely. On the one hand, this is convenient for the parties, children and attorneys. On the other hand, I am concerned something is lost without face-to-face interaction. It is unclear when court services will return to normal and there is presently a backlog even for remote services.
Continue Reading »
The Maryland Parenting Plan Tool is mandatory for parties to complete under Maryland law and is incorporated by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County into the mediation process.
Continue Reading »
Amar S. Weisman and the Law Offices of Amar S. Weisman expresses gratitude for the service of the truly Honorable Mickey J. Norman. As a young attorney, Judge Norman challenged Amar S. Weisman to prepare and litigate seriously, respectfully and faithfully to the law.
Continue Reading »
Ask any group of people for a list of reasons a couple might file for divorce, and you’re likely to get familiar-sounding answers. Maybe the couple has irreconcilable differences? Maybe one spouse became violent? Or maybe a couple simply decided their love was gone? Whatever the case, the hypothesized reasons will usually stem from assumed issues in a relationship. So what would you think if we told you that Medicaid might have something to do with whether a couple stays wed or unties the knot? A report from NPR explains.
Continue Reading »
As recent as even a few decades ago, growing up in a single-parent household would have been considered unusual. For centuries, society upheld the notion that a two-parent household was the only way to raise a family. As a result, the majority of children found themselves being raised by a nuclear unit that consisted of both a mother and father.
Continue Reading »
For years, and arguably centuries, divorce has been an event seen as more of a time of mourning than a time of celebration. Having entered hopefully into marriage, many feel that the dissolution of a marriage is something to be regretted, rather than applauded. Society has generally supported this belief, relegating divorce to a quiet, somber event, instead of a reason for joy. However, as social norms continue to evolve, new and different perspectives on the emotions surrounding divorce have been born.
Continue Reading »
Divorce. It’s one word that always seems to be on everyone’s mind. With so many very public and sometimes scandalous celebrity divorces in the magazines, it seems only natural that marriage, divorce, and the way we think about love may be evolving in the 21st century. But what’s the real deal with marriage and divorce statistics? We’re here to explain.
Continue Reading »
Divorce. More than ever, it seems to be on everyone’s mind: and for good reason! Any time you flip open the latest celebrity magazine or start up a conversation with your neighbor, it seems like someone is untying the knot. While this practice is increasingly common, it is not necessarily increasingly easy to do.
Continue Reading »
Throughout history, parenthood has followed rigidly defined terms, most notably holding to the assumption of the parents being married and in a heterosexual relationship. However, society today is different from society 200, 100, and even 50 years ago. Social norms are changing. And, as a result, the definition of parenthood is changing, too.
Continue Reading »
Everyone who works in the County Courts Building can confirm that men and women file for divorce year-round. Unless it happens to be a state holiday, there is invariably someone on the second filing a Complaint for Divorce. On the other hand, I know from experience that there are seasonal patterns and cycles. For example, every December I see the number of divorces go down and the number of reconciliations go up.
Continue Reading »
