Gaithersburg Divorce Attorney

Supportive Divorce Attorneys Representing Clients in Gaithersburg, MD

Figuring out how to respond to a divorce can be challenging. You may have questions about how your assets will be divided between you and your spouse, how child custody will be resolved, and whether a judge will order alimony. A divorce lawyer in Gaithersburg can lighten your burden with quality representation, keeping you informed of your rights and advocating for you throughout the proceedings. At Salvado Law Offices, we will make sure your concerns are heard, taking on every case with the diligence and attention you deserve. Our divorce attorneys are here to make sure that your best interests are protected after a separation, easing your transition out of the marriage.

Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce in Maryland

Divorces in Maryland can be classified as fault or no-fault, where blame is assigned to one spouse or neither at all. The critical difference between the two is that, in a fault divorce, one spouse may receive a greater share of assets or other preferential treatment due to the other spouse's failure. Grounds for a fault divorce can include abandonment, cruelty, or infidelity in the marriage, though the accuser must supply the burden of proof. Maryland adheres to equitable distribution in dividing up assets, and fault may factor into a judge's final ruling.

By contrast, no-fault divorce does not assign blame to a spouse, and is generally a smoother process in court. Grounds for no-fault divorce require one party to cite irreconcilable differences, mutual agreement between the spouses, or a six-month period of both living independently of one another.

Whether you are looking to establish fault for a divorce or defend against allegations of fault, a skilled divorce attorney can be your best advocate. The lawyers at Salvado Law Offices will work with you to reach a resolution that suits your needs.

Child Custody and Child Support

The issues brought up in divorce proceedings are largely separate from child custody, because a judge is legally obligated to rule in the child's best interests rather than the preference of either spouse. The court will consider the different factors at play, including the parenting ability of both spouses, what the child wants, how adjusted the child is to his or her community, and more.

Additionally, a judge will make a ruling on child support during a divorce, wherein one spouse may have to make regular payments to the other to cover necessary expenses for the child's well-being. When making a decision on child support, the judge will consider the income of both parents and whether the child is kept in sole custody or joint custody.

Asset Division and Alimony

During divorce proceedings, both spouses' property will go through the painstaking process of asset division, where the property is labeled as either marital or non-marital. Marital property covers shared items between the spouses, such as things bought during the marriage or joint bank accounts. Non-martial property accounts for items acquired before the marriage, or gifts and inheritances made out to one person. When splitting up real estate like the marital home, the property can be liquidated and divided up between the spouses. Alternatively, one spouse could keep the home and appropriately compensate the other.

A judge may also call for spousal support, or alimony, a series of regular payments made from one spouse to the other to supplant an income. Spousal support is by no means guaranteed, and might only be ordered in cases where one spouse earns significantly more than the other, or if the marriage lasted several years.

Meet with a Divorce Lawyer in Gaithersburg, MD Today

A pending divorce can be a massive source of stress. At Salvado Law Offices, our Gaithersburg attorneys will guide you through the process and provide legal counsel from beginning to end, ensuring that you can exit a marriage with a sense of security. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 301-933-1814.