Fighting for My Clients in Maryland Support Proceedings
Rely on Experience in Child Support and Alimony Matters
The financial considerations involved with a divorce are often contentious and complicated. The division of lives and households can be emotionally difficult, and getting knowledgeable and reliable counsel from an experienced lawyer regarding child support and alimony is crucial for understanding and protecting your rights.
At the Maryland law office of Stuart C. Axilbund, I have over 18 years of experience protecting my clients' rights in child support and alimony proceedings. I will explain the process for determining support and help you understand what to expect.
If you need help protecting your interests in child or spousal support proceedings, call 410-832-7579 or contact me online to schedule a free telephone consultation. As an experienced family law attorney, I know what it takes to reach fair support agreements in Maryland.
Helping Children Get the Support They Are Entitled to Receive
Child support is designed to make sure that children have the necessary financial resources to which they are entitled from their parents. Maryland has State-specific guidelines that determine child support if the parents combined monthly income is $10,000 or less. Many factors are taken into account, including:
- All income of both parties
- Daycare expenses
- Healthcare expenses
Rather than complying with a strict formula, the court has much more discretion to determine child support if the combined monthly income of both parents exceeds $10,000. Your child's needs and current lifestyle, in addition to each parent's income, are the primary factors that drive the child support amount in this situation.
I have extensive experience helping my clients analyze complex financial situations. Income from self-employment, underemployment, commissions, seasonal work and other hidden forms of income must be considered in determining child support. My goal is to paint an accurate financial picture for the court, so that the child support amount is fair. I will present your position in the best light possible to help you achieve your legal goals.
Determining Spousal Support
Maryland has three types of spousal support:
- alimony pendente lite is awarded pending final resolution of the divorce
- rehabilitative alimony is awarded at the time of the divorce to enable one spouse to become self-supporting
- permanent alimony is awarded at the time of the divorce if there is a significant income or lifestyle disparity that would be unfair if not granted
I will listen to your concerns, assess your particular situation and help you understand what you can realistically expect. In awarding alimony, the court examines and weighs many factors including:
- The relative incomes of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- Each party's conduct leading to the divorce
- Each party's contributions to the marriage
- Job prospects of the spouse seeking support
- Ability of the spouse seeking support to become self-supporting
- Earning capacity of each spouse
I will protect your best interests, whether you are seeking support or will be ordered to provide support. In complex alimony cases, I will call upon vocational and financial expert witnesses to support your position in court when needed.
Post-Decree Enforcement and Modifications of Support Orders
In addition to the initial child support or alimony determination, I have extensive experience helping my clients seek enforcement of child support and alimony orders. Where a party has experienced a significant change in financial circumstances, I will provide knowledgeable assistance in either seeking or defending against modification of the original order.
Protect Your Rights - Discuss Your Support Concerns in a Free Telephone Consultation
Call 410-832-7579 or contact me online to schedule a free telephone consultation. My office, located in Towson, is open between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and I offer evening hours by appointment. We have free parking, and my office is conveniently located across from the Baltimore County Circuit Courthouse and a few blocks from the Baltimore County District Court. For your convenience, I accept Visa and MasterCard.