Resources

Nov 30, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Marriage is an important institution in the United States, unlike other parts of the globe. In fact, the United States has more marriages and more divorces than any other country in the world. The Centers for Disease Control reported that, as of 2022, the current divorce rate in the State of Maryland was 2.4 for every 1,000 inhabitants. This represents an increase from 2020 when the figure was 1.7 per 1,000.  “Gray” Divorces Among People 50 and Over A new trend emerging across the country – and in Maryland – is that a higher percentage of older people are divorcing. Called “gray divorces,” the age 50 and older crowd represents about 25% of all divorces in Maryland. Not every person thinking about divorce has the same reason to want to do so, but the reduced stigma of divorce may be driving the higher divorce rate among unhappily married older couples. Also, parents who stayed together for the sake of their children but don’t feel they have anything in common anymore or who have lost the “spark” appear to be increasingly willing to follow through with a divorce once the children are out of the house. The American Association of Retired People (“AARP”) started focusing on this phenomenon in the early 2000s and offered these statistics in a report entitled The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce at Midlife and Beyond:  Who initiates divorce in later life? 66% of female participants initiated divorce 41% of male participants initiated divorce Participants’ age […]

Oct 31, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

The issue of child custody is typically an extremely emotional issue for both parents as they go through the divorce process. While the court is primarily focused on the best interests of the child, it is generally recognized that the healthiest situation, in most cases, is for both parents to be able to interact with and raise the child. Bethesda child custody attorney Brandon Bernstein can help you navigate this area with knowledge and tact.  Maryland’s child custody laws were codified in 2020 pursuant to Maryland Rule 9-204.1. The Rule allows parents to establish a mutually-agreeable parenting plan (“Parenting Plan”) that is in the best interest of the child. The Parenting Plan typically covers legal custody, which involves decision-making for the child, and physical custody, which is the time that the child spends in the parent’s care.   What is considered to be in the best interest of the child? A number of factors are considered, including: The stability and welfare of the child. The relationships the child has with siblings, parents and other individuals in the homes of the respective parents. The developmental needs of the child such as cognitive growth, physical safety and emotional security. The day-to-day needs of the child including education, mental and physical health and socialization. The age of the child (the older the child, the more likely it is that their wishes will be considered. Typically in Maryland, children aged 16 or older will have their wishes taken  under consideration by the judge).  The relationship […]

Sep 30, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Going through a divorce is often extremely emotionally challenging and draining. And, in many cases, it causes significant financial challenges as well. If you’ve been ordered by the court to pay alimony to your spouse, it can be disruptive to your budget and lifestyle. Paying alimony to your ex-spouse can be a difficult, ongoing financial obligation. Though it typically doesn’t go on forever, as the purpose of alimony in most cases is to help non-earning spouses become financially independent, it can seem like it. 

Aug 31, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

There’s no lack of stories on the news or the internet about divorce statistics in America. Divorce has become a way of life not only in America but around the world.  One major statistic is that divorce has been on the decline in the U.S. over the past decade. Some people speculate this is both due to people marrying later and fewer people marrying overall.  

Jul 29, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Family law typically covers such legal areas as divorce, divorce mediation, separation agreements, property distribution, child custody, alimony, child support, and prenuptial agreements. Even under the best of circumstances, these are charged issues and the parties can sometimes react very strongly, particularly when testifying in a courtroom.

Jun 30, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Divorce is a difficult situation for all parties. People think and hope that their marital vows will last forever, but that’s often not the reality. What are the first steps when you or your spouse decide it’s time to exit the marriage? In Maryland, these are the options:

May 31, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

In general, divorce mediation will help you resolve your issues with your spouse so that you can then file for an uncontested divorce. The process seeks to turn what is typically a confrontational process into a “win-win” situation. The core principle of mediation is self-determination. 

Feb 1, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

An Evolving Landscape & New Challenges, Pandemic Related & Otherwise, Impacting the World of Divorce for Men Men and women face different challenges when heading into a divorce, and in terms of divorce for men, the perception by many has long been that they are at a disadvantage in such scenarios. It seems that the odds of achieving the most desired results in terms of big ticket issues such as child custody and child support, as well as alimony, place men at a disadvantage; or at least this is the way the topic is often presented in movies and television shows.

Feb 1, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Increased rates of divorce and separation, among overall increased stress and household challenges, continues impacting families Few people imagined the country and the world would still be coping with the Covid-19 pandemic after two years, but it’s become a constant presence in almost everyone’s life. That lengthy period of time has also allowed for the evaluation of the pandemic’s impact, which we see in terms of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations, not to mention on its economic impact, but there’s also a real and ongoing negative impact on mental health.

Jan 20, 2022

Family Law by The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein

Understand your Finances This may seem pretty basic, but I speak with people who are pursuing a divorce and have almost no information about their shared financial situation. There are a lot of situations where financial information is not known or shared between spouses. A few key items to understand, or at least have general numbers around include: