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As of February 5, 2020, Laurie M. Wasserman has been accepted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is a highly competitive, membership-only organization that was founded in 1962 by domestic relations attorneys, “to provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.” The AAML’s Academy Fellows are considered some of the best family law attorneys in the United States and are recognized for their high level of knowledge, skill, and integrity. There are just over 1,650 fellows across the United States that have been accepted into the AAML. “I am honored and thrilled to be accepted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, said Laurie M. Wasserman. “The AAML has been a personal goal of mine since I began my career in family law and I am proud to now be recognized as an Academy Fellow.” To be accepted as an Academy Fellow, family law attorneys must qualify under the listed requirements, apply online, and complete a rigorous application process. Some of the membership requirements include practicing as a family law attorney for over nine years, dedicating over 75% of your legal practice to family law, passing the National Exam, completing an interview, being recognized as an attorney with integrity and professionalism among your peers, along with several other standards. To learn more about the membership standards, please visit the AAML’s website here. For more information about Laurie M. Wasserman, please visit here.

If your ex is refusing to pay child support in the state of Maryland, the first step you must take is to contact your family law attorney. If child support has not been established by Court order, then a Complaint for Child Support should be filed to start the process. During the child support case, information will be exchanged regarding income, the costs of work-related childcare and health insurance and extraordinary medical expenses for the children. You may be ordered to go to mediation. If an agreement cannot be reached, a hearing will be held before a Judge or Magistrate. The number of overnights each parent has with the children can also play an important role in establishing child support. You can request that child support be paid directly to you or through your local Office of Child Support Enforcement. If child support has already been court-ordered, but there is a refusal to pay, then you will need to file a Petition for Contempt. The Court will then ask the accused to appear in Court and “show cause” why he/she should not be held in contempt. If an agreement between the parents cannot be reached, the Court will hold a hearing. At this hearing, the parent seeking to enforce the child support order must prove the specific amount owed, establish the failure to pay, and demonstrate that the failure to pay was willful. If contempt is proven, the Court will give the parent the opportunity to “purge” the contempt or face additional consequences. The purge provision may include, but is not limited to, payment of the support and payment of the other parent’s legal fees. If there is a failure to purge, then additional consequences may be imposed by the Court. If child support has been established or maintained through the local Office of Child Support Enforcement, they can also assist with enforcement of support Orders or agreements. When an ex refuses to pay child support, it can be extremely stressful. We understand how difficult it can be and work with our clients to make sure they have the financial support they need to take care of their children. If you have any questions about child support, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the state of Maryland.

Congratulations on deciding to adopt a child! Choosing to make a difference in a child’s life through adoption is a wonderful thing. In the case of a stepparent adopting a stepchild, the biological parent must legally terminate his or her parental rights, while the other must consent to the adoption without terminating parental rights. If a grandparent is adopting a grandchild, both biological parents must legally terminate his or her parental rights. Lawyers will be needed for the adoptive parent, the birth parent and, in some instances, the minor child. The adults should also consider family counseling throughout the process, as adoption can have major effects on families and the children involved. The adoption process involves extensive paperwork and the Court will not process an adoption until all of the steps have been followed. When the Judge is ready to grant the adoption, a special ceremony will be held at the Courthouse to celebrate the occasion. Friends and family are welcome to attend the ceremony, and pictures are encouraged. As an experienced attorney in Maryland, I outline the typical steps in adoption and the timelines you should anticipate and compile complete and accurate documentation required to adopt a child. If you have any questions about adoption in Maryland, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

When children are involved with a divorce, the disagreements often continue long after the case is legally resolved. For parents who struggle with resolving disagreements to make sound decisions, working with a trained Parent Coordinator (PC) can save considerable time, energy and legal fees. What is Parent Coordination? Parent Coordination is a form of dispute resolution where a trained PC helps the parents reach a shared decision for their children. PCs are trained to minimize the conflict that children are exposed to due to their parents’ unresolved differences. PCs have parents meet regularly to attempt to resolve day-to-day issues as an impartial party. The PC can assist with issues relating to extracurricular activities, improving communications, changes in schedules, and reimbursements. If the parents cannot reach a joint decision after good faith attempts to do so, then the PC can decide on their behalf. By retaining a PC, parents can work together in a more expedient way to support their children with their daily needs. This is a results-driven process meant to make sure that children have decisions made for them in an expeditious manner. How do I Hire a Parent Coordinator? If you are in a highly contentious relationship with your ex-spouse and would like the help of a parent coordinator, you can contact us at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. Laurie Wasserman is a trained parent coordinator and would be happy to assist you.

Divorce laws vary by state, but in general, a spouse may file for divorce whether or not their partner agrees. In the state of Maryland, it only takes one spouse to file for divorce, and it can proceed even if the other spouse does not agree to the divorce. Generally, there are two types of divorce: “fault” and “no fault.” With a “fault” based divorce, one spouse must prove that the other spouse did something to warrant the divorce, such as commit adultery or behave excessively vicious toward the other spouse. With a “no fault” divorce, neither party alleges that the other did anything to cause the divorce, they simply decide that they no longer wish to be married. For a “no fault” divorce, either the parties have been separated for at least 12 months, living in separate homes without sexual intimacy, or they can file for a Mutual Consent Divorce, as we explained in a recent blog post here. When one party files for divorce, the other party is required to file an Answer to the Complaint. If the person chooses to not file an Answer, the court can enter an Order of Default against the Answering party. The case may then proceed whether or not the person chooses to participate, and the spouse who filed for divorce will still be required to put on evidence on the grounds for divorce and other issues in the case (custody, support, property, etc.), regardless of whether it was no fault or fault-based. Regardless, so long as one spouse wants a divorce and they can support their case with evidence, the court will grant the divorce whether or not the other party participates. If you find yourself in a situation where your spouse wants a divorce, but you do not, we recommend speaking with a divorce attorney. Your divorce attorney can guide you through your options and help you decide the best way to proceed. You should understand the risk of not participating in the divorce before proceeding in that manner. Ignoring the case will not make it go away. We also recommend seeking outside help to cope with divorce. Whether it is a trusted friend or a professional counselor, there are ways to help process your emotions and move forward with your life. Our team understands that divorce can be emotionally draining and we are here to support our clients throughout the process and afterward. If you have any questions about divorce, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

Laurie M. Wasserman has been named a Top 50 Women Maryland Super Lawyer for 2020. Every year, Super Lawyers evaluates attorneys from across the country to recognize the “best of the best” in its annual list of top attorneys. The attorneys are measured against 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The Top Super Lawyers earn the most total points and are featured for this outstanding accomplishment. Super Lawyers is a peer-based rating service that recognizes the top lawyers in over 70 areas of law. The selection process includes independent research, as well as peer nominations and evaluations. Laurie has been selected as a Super Lawyer from 2017 – 2020 and was a Rising Star from 2010 – 2014. She is recognized as a Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Towson, Maryland.

Starting January 1, 2020, all parents that have a custody dispute before the Court will be required to provide the Court with an agreed upon Parenting Plan or – if they are unable to reach an agreement – a “Joint Statement Concerning Decision Making Authority and Parenting Time”. What is exactly is a Parenting Plan? A Parenting Plan is a written agreement describing how the parents will work together to care for their child(ren). The parents are required to attend a scheduling conference where the Court will provide them with a copy of the Maryland Parenting Plan tool to assist them in creating their Parenting Plan. Then, the parents will work separately or together to complete their Parenting Plan. The parties’ can consult with their attorneys to create a Parenting Plan. If the parties have been ordered to attend a parenting education seminar, Parenting Plans will be explained and addressed during the session. And if the parties have been ordered to attend mediation, the mediator can also assist the parents in creating their Parenting Plan. The Court will integrate the Parenting Plan into the final custody decision if they find that the terms are in the child’s best interest. What is a Joint Statement of Concerning Decision Making Authority and Parenting Time? If the parents are unable to agree on a comprehensive Parenting Plan, then they are now required to complete a Joint Statement Concerning Decision Making Authority and Parenting Time and file this with the Court. The Joint Statement notifies the Court of any remaining disputes regarding decision making (“legal custody” ) and parenting time (“physical custody”). The parents can consult with their attorneys and/or a mediator to complete a Joint Statement. The Joint Statement must file be filed at least 10 days before the Court-ordered settlement conference or, if the case has not been set in for a settlement conference, then it must be filed 20 days before the trial date. The Court can issue sanctions if parents are non-compliant. The Court will consider the Joint Statement when making the custody decision, which shall be made with the child’s best interest as a top priority. If you have any questions about Parenting Plans or Joint Statements of Concerning Decision Making Authority and Parenting Time, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com.

It is possible to expedite the divorce process through a Mutual Consent Divorce. Under a Mutual Consent Divorce, there is no separation period required under the law and the couple can even be residing together if they wish to obtain one. So, How Can I File for a Mutual Consent Divorce? Before you can even file for a Mutual Consent Divorce, you and your spouse must have a written Separation Agreement that resolves all of the issues in the marriage. The agreement must address alimony, distribution of property and the care, custody, access, and support of minor children. Once the agreement is executed, one of the spouses must then file a Complaint for Absolute Divorce on the grounds of Mutual Consent. Then, the other party must file an Answer affirming that they (a) have an agreement; and (b) consent to the divorce. In some cases, to schedule a hearing sooner, the spouses can work together to file both the Complaint and Answer at the same time. After the Answer has been received, the Court will schedule an uncontested divorce hearing. In most counties, only the moving party needs to appear in court for this type of divorce. ­­­­­­­ Things to Consider Mutual Consent Divorce is very specific, and if the court finds that your Agreement does not satisfy the requirements under the law, it has the authority to not grant you a divorce. For this reason, it is recommended that you consult an attorney to make sure that your Agreement and your Court documents are sufficient. If you have any questions about Mutual Consent Divorce or Separation Agreements, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

Speak up! We need to spread the word about the law. Written by Sarah David Laurie Wasserman, was featured in The Daily Record's Generation J.D. Blog. To read the entire article, visit here. “Does the witness have a subpoena or not?” It might sound like a question from a judge, opposing counsel or court clerk, but this was in fact a question from a ninth-grade student at the recent Civics and Law Academy hosted by the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) in partnership with the Baltimore County Bar Association and Baltimore County Public Schools. Baltimore County attorneys and judges spent the morning talking to students about the role of law in our society and the importance of understanding their important responsibilities as active citizens. Each of the students attended three of the four special-interest sessions on the topics of Rights and Responsibilities (presented by Ari J. Kodeck and Todd deStowolinski); Law and Justice (presented by Adam Sean Cohen and Larry Polen); Free Speech, School Speech and Protected Speech (presented by the Hon. Judith C. Ensor and Adam E. Konstas); Power and Empowerment (presented by Sarah R. David – the author of this blog — and Whitney E. Wilder); and Law in a Cyber-Age (presented by Scott D. Shellenberger, Baltimore County state’s attorney, and Christopher W. Nicholson). Students also heard presentations from the Y of Central Maryland on the Youth & Government and Leaders’ Club programs, as well as from representatives from CCBC Admissions & Financial Aid to talk about enrollment and to answer any questions. The Civics and Law Academy was the brainchild of Judge Pamila Brown. The program started in 2011 following the state’s elimination of the government portion of the high school assessment test. It was modeled after the signature program of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Civic Education in the Nation’s Schools. This year’s program was organized by Laurie Wasserman, Esq. of the Law Office of Laurie Wasserman, who specializes in family law. Wasserman discusses the importance of this program, stating: “When high school students can learn about civics and law from lawyers and judges — on a college campus — it opens their eyes to future education and career opportunities. It is truly one of the best programs that the Baltimore County Bar Association offers to the community.” To read the entire article, visit The Daily Record here.

Effective October 1, 2019, the state of Maryland has updated what is considered an “extraordinary medical expense” when calculating child support. For parents earning a combined income of $180,000 or less per year, child support is calculated using the “Child Support Guidelines”. The guidelines consider (a) each parent’s gross income, (b) any alimony awarded or paid, (c) any other child support orders that either party is obligated to pay, (d) the cost of providing health insurance to the children, (e) work-related child-care expenses (such as daycare or aftercare), (f) and “extraordinary medical expenses.” According to the new Maryland law, “extraordinary medical expenses” are uninsured costs for medical treatment in excess of $250 in any calendar year. Extraordinary medical expenses include uninsured, reasonable, and necessary costs for orthodontia, dental treatment, vision care, asthma treatment, physical therapy, treatment for any chronic health problem, and professional counseling or psychiatric therapy for diagnosed mental disorders. Prior to October 1, 2019, extraordinary medical expenses used to be defined as “uninsured expenses over $100 for a single illness or condition.” Under the new definition, the extraordinary medical expense now has to be over $250 and is no longer limited to one single illness or condition. If you have any questions about extraordinary medical expenses, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland. Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Nall Mor

What is a marriage annulment? We often hear about annulments in the content of celebrities or spontaneous Las Vegas weddings. For example, in 2004, Britney Spears had a 55-hour marriage to her ex Jason Alexander when they decided to married while in Las Vegas. She was able to have her marriage annulled because she claimed she “lacked understanding of her actions, to the extent that she was incapable of agreeing to the marriage”. What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce? The best way to think of an annulment is to make a marriage “null and void”. When a marriage is annulled, it is as if it never occurred. As opposed to a divorce, when the marriage—although over—still existed under the law. Annulment is not what movies and television series make it out to be. Marriages cannot automatically be annulled if the parties did not consummate the marriage or they were heavily intoxicated when they wed, like Ross and Rachel in Friends. At least, that is not the case in the state of Maryland. A marriage can be annulled when the marriage is considered void or voidable. Void means that something with the marriage was defective from the beginning. For example, bigamy can be grounds for annulment. Bigamy is when someone is legally married to one person but marries another. In Maryland, it is illegal to be married to more than one person. The second marriage is therefore void and can be annulled. Other reasons for annulment in the State of Maryland include: if one of the parties was under-age and cannot legally consent to the marriage, if close blood relatives get married, or if a person forced the other to get married against their own will. What are the benefits of annulling a marriage? An annulled marriage provides benefits that should be considered when you are faced with a void marriage. For instance, the court can help resolve issues related to marital property, award use and possession of the family home, and award alimony. Even child custody and child support can be addressed because these issues exist regardless of whether the parents of the child were ever wed. How do I get my marriage annulled? Most family law attorneys can assist you with the process of annulling your marriage. The benefit of using a family law attorney is that, in the case of your marriage actually being valid, they can also assist you with other options like a divorce. Our team can access whether your marriage is or is not valid. We can also help guide you through the process of receiving either an annulment or a divorce. If you have questions about annulment or would like to annul your marriage, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.

Child custody cases are decided with the child’s best interests in mind. As time passes, one or both parents may wish to change a child custody decision. In family law, we call this “modification” of child custody. How to Modify Child Custody Custody, both legal (decision making) and physical (where the child resides), and visitation can be modified. In order to modify an existing court order, the parent wishing to modify must first prove that there has been a “material change in circumstances” – which means that there must be a significant change that has occurred resulting in the current court order no longer being in the best interest of the minor child. A modification is not a “do-over” of an existing custody decision. If you are unhappy with the court’s decision, or you entered into a consent order and changed your mind, these are not material changes. If, and only if, a material change of circumstances has been proven, only then can the court look to the best interest of the child. This is an extremely high bar, and for that reason, it can be difficult to modify an existing court decision. It is tempting to want to analyze what is in the child’s best interest first, but under the law, the courts must first determine that there has been a material change in circumstances. Just because there has been a material change in circumstances does not mean that the court will definitely modify the order. It just means that the court can change the order if it is in the best interest of the child. Sometimes both parents want to modify the child custody decision. If both parents come to an agreement which resolves the issue (either through counsel, at mediation, or at a settlement conference), and they choose to modify the existing order, the court still has the final say of whether or not the agreement is in the child’s best interest. What the Court Considers When Determining Modification First, the court considers a “material change in circumstances”. A material change in circumstances is anything that occurs that makes it so following the current court order is no longer in the child’s best interest. This could be relocation or a change in one of the parent’s employment which impacts the child custody schedule. There is no “list” of what constitutes a “material change” because each determination is done on a case by case basis, and whether a certain change is material to one child may not be material to another. The court also considers the best interest of the child. If the court finds that there has been a material change in circumstances since the entry of the last court Order, then they will move on to consider the best interest of the child. There are a variety of factors the court considers when deciding what custodial arrangement is in the best interest of the child. These factors include, but are not limited to: Willingness of the parents to share custody Preference of the child Potential disruption of child’s social and school life Sincerity of parents’ request Demands of parental employment The Steps to Obtain a Modification The steps in the modification process are as follows: First, you must file a Petition/Motion to Modify with the court. All contested custody cases, with a few exceptions, are required to be mediated with the court. This is the court giving parties a chance to resolve the issue on their own, and not have to have the court decide your child’s future. The parties will also most likely be ordered to attend Parenting Classes with the court, and, depending on the jurisdiction, children may be ordered to attend a class. Parties may be given another opportunity to resolve the issue themselves by attending a court ordered Settlement Conference. Finally, if the case does not resolve, the case will go to trial, where the parties put on their arguments as to why an order should, or should not, be modified. The Court does not make it easy to modify child custody decisions because routines are important to children, and if the parents keep changing a custody order, the child will never get settled. Also, the court recognizes that settling into a routine takes time. Stability, not change, is in the child’s best interest. If you need help modifying an existing custody order, please contact Wasserman Family Law at 410-842-1070 or laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com. We practice in jurisdictions throughout the State of Maryland.