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Alimony is money that is paid by one spouse to the other to provide an economic means for both people to address their new, separate households. The primary purpose of alimony is to provide an opportunity for the receiving spouse to become self-supporting. Despite how Hollywood movies may portray alimony, it is not a form of punishment for bad deeds during the marriage. There are many factors the court must consider when determining the amount of alimony. And unlike child support, there is no simple equation or 50/50 split of income. There are three types of alimony: Temporary alimony is only intended to maintain the financial status quo of the parties until the court makes a final decision regarding alimony. This amount is based solely on the financial need of the receiving spouse and the ability of the other spouse to pay. Rehabilitative alimony is the most common form of alimony. The goal of rehabilitative alimony is to provide the spouse who needs financial support enough alimony to get them to a point where they can be financially self-supporting. For example, a spouse may receive alimony for a duration long enough to complete an education training program to re-enter the workforce. Indefinite alimony is awarded when the spouse seeking alimony cannot reasonably be expected to make substantial progress toward becoming self-supporting because of age, illness, or disability. In this case, even if the financially dependent spouse makes progress towards becoming self-supporting, the respective standards of living of the parties will be unconscionable disparate. If you would like to receive alimony, you may file a Complaint For Alimony with the court and a required financial statement. The person who files for alimony is not required to obtain a divorce, but they must have grounds for divorce. Alimony can also be determined outside the Court by the two parties in an agreement. Alimony is not one-size-fits all process. If you are seeking advice regarding alimony or other family law matters, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

The firm is proud to announce that Laurie M. Wasserman has achieved a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. Only approximately 10% of attorneys have achieved this prestigious honor. Some of the reviews of Laurie include: Laurie is a very skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney and I enjoy collaborating with her in cases. Laurie Wasserman is a passionate advocate for her clients. Laurie is not only a highly skilled professional and effective counsel on behalf of her clients, but also a reasonable person who works well with colleagues to resolve cases whenever the same is possible. Laurie is an excellent attorney. I have had cases with her as Opposing Counsel and I have been impressed by her ability to advocate while remaining a reasonable adversary. I have even referred my family to her for their family law matters. Laurie has always been a wonderful example of the high level of professionalism that should be expected of everyone within our industry. Her analytical skills are impressive and she is a helpful resource to have when brainstorming creative ways to resolve issues. She is very involved in our various bar associations and is very willing to give back to the legal community and the community in general. I have known Laurie Wasserman for over 10 years and we have been adverse to one another on several matters. She is a highly professional and competent attorney.

Going from a guaranteed paycheck to the unknown of self-employment can be downright terrifying. Yet, women each day are deciding to make the shift from climbing the corporate ladder to building their own businesses. In fact, the “number of women-owned businesses increased nearly 3,000% since 1972” according to analysis in the 2018 State of Women-Owned Business Report, commissioned by American Express. A deeper dive into this report showed that “women started an average of 1,821 new businesses per day in the U.S. between 2017 and 2018.” If hanging your own shingle is something you are considering, meet Laurie Wasserman, who candidly shares 12 things she suggests one consider before starting a business. Laurie is a Family Law Attorney who left partnership at an established Baltimore law firm to build a business of which she is extremely proud. For entire article, click here.

Wasserman Family Law is proud to announce their sponsorship of Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services’ Taste for Pro Bono event. This event will be held on April 2, 2019 at Union Craft Brewery. MVLS is a private, non-profit legal services provider established in 1981 to help meet the need for civil legal services in Maryland. Their mission is to connect low-income Marylanders with volunteer lawyers and community partners to deliver free civil legal assistance because there should be justice for all, not just for those who can afford it. Laurie M. Wasserman regularly volunteers to accept family law cases through MVLS and in 2016, MVLS honored her with a 10-Year Volunteer Award. For more information on the event, please see https://mvlslaw.org/tasteforprobono.

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear as a Family Law Attorney is “How do I change an existing custody order or agreement?” When child custody is initially decided, it is done based on the circumstances at the time the decision was reached. Presumably, the decision considered your child’s age and needs and each parents’ abilities, among other things. As time passes, circumstances can change. A custody schedule that is designed for a toddler will not necessarily work for a teenager. Or, a parent may need to alter the custodial schedule to reflect a new employment arrangement or life change. This is why many parents find themselves wanting to revisit their custody order after it is entered. If the Court is going to reconsider the current custodial arrangement, the parent seeking the change must demonstrate the existence of a “material change in circumstances” that impacts the child. The term “material change in circumstances” is easier said than defined. Not just any change will do. Perhaps a reasonable rule of thumb is that the change cannot be ordinary or minor in terms of effects on the daily routines of life. Modification of custody cases are extremely fact specific, so it is important to consult an experienced lawyer before proceeding. If a material change in circumstances is proven, then the court can evaluate what custodial arrangement is in the best interest of the child. To determine what is in a child’s best interests, the Courts will consider a litany of factors, including for example, your child’s relationship with each parent, as well as the ability and desire of each parent to provide your child with the best home possible. After finding a “material change” and making a “best interest” determination, the Court can enter a new custody schedule or decide that it is best to keep the existing arrangement in place. The modification of custody process can be challenging and uncertain. If you need assistance with a modification of custody matter, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

This legislative session, there are many child support-related bills that we are watching closely. They include: A bill to remove the provision in that allows for a sharp reduction in a non-custodial parent’s child support obligation once they reach 128 overnights or more each year. Many cases are litigated over parents who want to get over or under 128 overnights for the change in child support. If passed, this law would remove the unintended incentive of getting 128 overnights and focus the schedule on what is best for the child, and not what will make child support higher or lower. The legislature is proposing that once a parent has 92 overnights, there be a gradual reduction to child support. A bill to change the child support formula to make sure courts consider a non-custodial parents’ obligation to his or her children in a subsequent relationship to make sure all children receive adequate support. For example, under the existing law, if a father has two children with different mothers, the mother who files first for child support would receive more than the one who files second. While judges have discretion in awarding child support, often the second parent to file gets less. A bill to allow a parent to establish child support even if the other parent has had his or her rights terminated under the rape survivor act, so long as the custodial parent files within 5 years from the date of termination of parental rights. We will keep you posted on the status of these bills as the 2019 Legislative Session progresses. In the meantime, if you need assistance please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland. Sources: The Daily Record, mgleg.maryland.gov

If you are thinking of getting a divorce, the process is not only emotionally draining, but can be complicated and overwhelming. To help clarify what one can expect, here is a brief description of ten key events that occur during the divorce process: 1. Choosing a lawyer. This may be your most important decision. The lawyer you hire is your advocate, guide and confidant during the process. You want a lawyer who is well- respected and knowledgeable. Many people ask a trusted friend or advisor for recommendations. 2. The Consultation. A skilled lawyer makes a client feel comfortable and confident in their abilities. At my consultations, I always ask clients what their goals are, and we discuss ways in which we can go about achieving them. I make sure that clients leave with a clear path for moving forward. 3. Dispute Resolution vs. Litigation. One of the first decisions you make in the process is how to start. Some people want to start with direct negotiations before filing in Court. In other situations, litigation is the preferred option. I always discuss both options with clients and advise as to how I believe the best way is to proceed. 4. Filing for Divorce. When you file for divorce, you are asking the Court to award you relief, that may include custody, child support, alimony, property or money. It is important that you understand what relief is available to you under Maryland law and the reasons why you may—or may not—be entitled to it. It’s important to ask questions if you do not understand something in the Complaint. 5. The Scheduling Conference. This is likely to be your first Court appearance in the divorce process. You and your lawyer will be ordered to attend a conference at the courthouse. Your case will be screened for services, like drug testing or a custody evaluation. It is also when you get dates for future court appearances. 6. Discovery. This is often the most tedious part of the divorce process for parties. It is when you are asked to provide written answers to questions (called Interrogatories) and documents to the other side. It can take a long time to get what is needed, and often times, it can be overwhelming. I always work with clients to break down the process and make it go as smoothly as possible. 7. Co-Parenting Classes. In all cases where child custody is in dispute, parents are required to attend co-parenting classes. Depending on what county your case is in, the classes are either offered online or you will be required to attend in-person. These classes are designed to teach parents about various methods of conflict resolution. Many of my clients have found these classes to be helpful. 8. Mediation. Mediation is required when child custody is in dispute. The mediation can take place at the courthouse or with a private mediator in his or her office. Even if mediation is not court-ordered, it is still a desirable option. Mediation is an excellent opportunity for parties to confidentially discuss the issues and work towards a settlement. A resolution in mediation will take away the uncertainty of trial. Studies have shown that when a family law case is resolved through mediation, the parties are less likely to return to court in the future. Private mediation can take place before or during the litigation process. 9. Settlement/Pre-Trial Conference. This is when the parties and lawyers go to Court to see if the case can be resolved prior to trial. If you do resolve your case at or before this conference, you may be able to put the settlement on the record and end the case there. 10. Trial. If issues remain unresolved, then there will be a trial where a Family Magistrate or a Judge will make the decision (called a “ruling”). At trial, each side puts forth their witnesses, evidence and arguments as to why the Court should rule in their favor. Some rulings are given at the conclusion of the trial, while other decisions will be issued at a later date and time. Once the decision is issued, either side has the opportunity to appeal. The more informed you are about the process of divorce, the less anxiety you will feel. I believe the key to a successful divorce is to minimize my clients stress level by providing them with as much information and pragmatic guidance as possible. If you are seeking advice about divorce, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

In my family law practice, I repeatedly hear from clients that the thing they fear the most is “losing control” over the outcome of their case. There are fears about the children’s schedule, how much money they will have off of which to live, and what the future will look like after litigation. If a case goes to trial, the judge will hear evidence and listen to testimony before deciding the issues and reducing them to a Court Order. There is no guarantee that you will get the outcome you desire or that the Court made the “right” decision under the circumstances. This is why many litigants are turning to mediation as a way to resolve their family law disputes. Mediation is a confidential process in which a neutral third party—the mediator—facilitates a discussion in the hopes that an agreement can be reached. If an agreement is reached on any issue, then it will be reduced to writing to be reviewed by each party’s lawyers. If everyone approves of the terms of the agreement, it can be signed and entered as a Court Order. You can mediate in the hopes of resolving all of your issues, or just one specific issue. During mediation, you have control over the process and the potential outcomes. Depending on the issues, mediation can take place over several sessions. The people in mediation decide the topics and the order of the discussions. But, if you cannot reach an agreement in mediation, then you just resume the regular court process. Anything said in mediation is confidential and cannot be used as evidence at trial. The mediator also cannot be called to testify as a witness for either side regarding what was—and was not—said during the mediation. In Maryland, all custody cases (except for those involving abuse) are required to attend mediation. In addition to child access, parties also choose to attend mediation to resolve issues of financial support and division of property. The ultimate goal of mediation is for parties to take control over the outcome of their case and avoid lengthy and expensive litigation. And, for those facing a one-year separation to file for divorce, a mediated agreement would allow them to file in court much sooner under “mutual consent” grounds. I am a trained family law mediator who can bring my experience, honesty and empathy to disputes. I am skilled at helping parties find creative solutions to their issues and to help them focus on what is most important. I also represent many clients throughout the mediation process. If you are interested in mediating your family law dispute, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

On an average day, parents are faced with hundreds of decisions to be made for their children. One of the hardest parts of co-parenting involves making joint decisions for your children when parents are living apart. If you are feeling like the other parent is constantly undermining your every move, and that every issue, even the most minor one involves threats of litigation, your current approach to decision making is not effective. There is, however; a solution available to parents—the appointment of a Parent Coordinator. What is a Parent Coordinator? A Parent Coordinator is either appointed by the Court or mutually agreed upon by the parties or their lawyers. Parent Coordinators are specially trained to resolve disputes in high-conflict custody matters. Instead of long drawn out court battles, Parent Coordinators can draft a parenting plan, monitor continued compliance of the parenting plan, and can help resolve minor disputes between parents. Most importantly, when the parents cannot reach a consensus, the Parent Coordinator has the ability to decide on their behalf. Parent Coordinators cannot decide physical or legal custody matters, as those decisions must be made by the parents or the Court. A Parent Coordinator can resolve disputes regarding minor modifications to an existing access schedule, the selection of extracurricular activities, and other pressing, time-sensitive matters that cannot wait for a court hearing. Parent Coordinator vs. Mediation Parent Coordinators are neutral, but they are not impartial. They can decide if the parties cannot reach an agreement. To the contrary, mediators are impartial and cannot decide for the parties if they’re unable to reach an agreement. The Parent Coordination process is not confidential, which means the Parent Coordinator can be subpoenaed to testify in Court regarding one party’s compliance with the process or lack thereof. Mediation, on the other hand, is confidential and nothing said in mediation can be testified to at trial. Parent Coordination Services I am a trained Parent Coordinator who can assist parents in making important decisions for their children outside of court. Instead of the relentless bickering and massive legal and court fees, I can help parents reach a resolution in a timely manner. My foremost concern is to uphold the best interest of the children. I can help parents negotiate and facilitate final decisions that embrace and adhere meaningful parent-child relationships. In short, I can bring order and a sense of calm, to the otherwise chaos and breakdown of the family unit. Why You Need a Parent Coordinator Co-parenting does not mean you have to like each other, but it does mean you need to find commonalities. Parent Coordination is a wonderful tool to help parents make decisions in a timely and child-focused manner. If you have questions about Parent Coordination, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

The phrase “prenuptial agreement” is often understood to be a marriage killjoy. For many, it represents a distrust between future spouses and ignites heated familial debates about the most unromantic thing of all – money. I see the prenuptial agreement as something entirely more positive. These agreements, and the discussions leading up to them, actually lay out a road map for marriage. It may surprise you that, as a family law attorney, I am pro-marriage, pro-love, and pro-family. I do not necessarily want anyone to get a divorce, even though divorces make up a large part of my legal practice. This is why I enjoy focusing parts of my practice on counseling clients about how to approach their marriage in a practical way. A marriage, after all, is just like a business partnership. Savvy business owners understand the importance of entering into partnership agreements to lay out the terms of a productive and profitable relationship. Marriage is no different. Love is what starts couples down the path towards marriage, but it is not always enough to keep them there. I recommend prenuptial (also known as premarital) agreements to couples who want to do everything in their power to enter into a healthy and lasting marriage. What is a Prenuptial Agreement? It’s a document that memorializes discussions about assets acquired prior to the marriage, expectations and roles within the marriage and how to handle changes to assets during the marriage. Some examples of challenges prenuptial agreements can address are: the house you owned prior to the marriage may be sold and the proceeds put into a family residence. What happens to those assets? One spouse may want to step out of the workforce to raise a child at home for a few years. That spouse will, undoubtedly, miss out on years of experience and opportunities to advance in the profession. How would that spouse be compensated financially in the event of a divorce for the years they did not spend working? Prenuptial agreements are becoming much more popular. People are marrying later in life, having had time to work and acquire their own homes or retirement assets. If this is a second marriage, a parent may want to protect the child from their first marriage’s rights of inheritance. A prenup can address financial assets, alimony, business interests and rights of inheritance. Prenups are not the answer to every challenge a marriage may encounter. What they cannot do, for example, is divest the court’s authority to determine child custody and child support of children born during the marriage. For couples considering marriage, asking an attorney to draw up a prenuptial agreement is a great idea. If done right, it should be negotiated fairly and with full disclosure. Each side should have their own independent counsel and the agreement must be entered into freely and voluntarily. The prenup should be executed as part of the wedding planning process, but early enough to avoid the stress of negotiating days before the ceremony. If you and your partner are considering getting married, creating the right prenup is the best way to further strengthen your partnership and contribute to the health and longevity of your marriage. If you need assistance preparing a prenuptial agreement, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

In September, Laurie M. Wasserman participated in a 40-hour training resulting in her earning a certificate in Parent Coordination, issued by the Administrative Offices of the Court. By earning the certificate, she is eligible to be appointed as a Parent Coordinator by Courts throughout the State, or by agreement of the parties. What is Parent Coordination? Couples with children, whether they were married or not, need to work out their differences to make sure their children’s needs come first. If parents have joint legal custody, they are required to make joint decisions regarding their child’s medical care, education, religious upbringing, and overall welfare and well-being. Parents with shared physical custody need to continually address day-to-day issues involving their children. Parent Coordination is a process where a trained facilitator gives parents additional assistance in their efforts to co-parent. A Parent Coordinator (PC) is not an attorney or a mediator. Rather, a PC is an impartial party designed to help parents try to resolve issues relating to their children and, if they are unable to resolve those issues, can make minor, temporary modifications to child access provisions. What does a Parent Coordinator do? A PC will have an Order in place stating specifically what the PC’s role is in the case. If appointed by the Court, the PC can do the following: if there is no custody and visitation order, work with parents to develop an agreed plan for custody and visitation; parents if there is a custody and visitation order, assist parents in resolving disputes about the interpretation of the order; educate parents about making and implementing decisions that are in the best interest of the child; assist parents in developing guidelines for appropriate communication; suggest resources to assist parents; assist parents in modifying patterns of behavior and in developing strategies to manage and reduce conflict and to reduce the impact of any conflict upon their child; decide post-judgment disputes by making minor, temporary modifications to child access provisions. Parent Coordination is an excellent resource for parents want to shield their children from their conflict and learn better ways to resolve their disputes. Parents can meet with the PC much quicker than they can get back into Court, making this process another way to circumvent litigation. If you are interested in learning more about the Parent Coordination process, or setting up an appointment to begin Parent Coordination, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com to set up an appointment.

Laurie Wasserman was recently featured in the Daily Record’s Movers & Shakers. "Laurie M. Wasserman, a solo practitioner with Wasserman Family Law, has been named chair of The Baltimore County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee. Wasserman, who focuses her practice on family law, has been an active member of the committee since she began practicing law and is looking forward to further engaging Baltimore-area family law attorneys in continuing education and networking endeavors."