BDBF News and Legal Updates

We recently updated you on the evolution of Maryland law to expedite the finalization of divorces, including the gradual removal of the requirement for a one-year separation. And now the District of Columbia has decided to follow suit. Specifically, the D.C. Council has passed a law eliminating the separation requirement. Congress is expected to approve...

It’s always been difficult to negotiate the finances around a separation. A family has grown accustomed to the expenses of one residence and suddenly the same amount of combined family income must support two residences. But in today’s economic climate, the increased cost associated with a separation has grown to record levels. The Problem Typically,...

The holiday season can be a difficult time, especially for clients in the midst of a custody dispute. Here, Bulman Dunie partner and chair of our family law and mediation practice groups, Meg Rosan, offers five tips for resolving a custody case. Tip 1 – Don’t Insist On Trying Your Case Before a Judge Unless It’s...

Clients often experience a mix of emotions as they prepare for an initial consultation with a divorce attorney. Among them is fear of the unknown. What will my consultation with my divorce attorney be like? What should I do beforehand to prepare? Read on as family law partner, Meg Rosan, explains 5 things you should...

Our family law clients know all too well that even after a divorce trial ends, child support obligations and negotiations can continue. Clients often come to us seeking to modify or terminate their child support obligation. Sometimes clients come to us standing accused of missing support payments because they assume their child support obligation has...

The grounds for divorce available in Maryland have been expanding in recent years and, effective October 1, 2023, they expand even further. Where Things Stand Now Before October 1, 2023, spouses could  seek a divorce without any waiting period, without a declared reason for doing so, but only if all issues of custody, support, and...

In last month’s newsletter, we announced the opening of a new practice group at Bulman Dunie: the Mediation Practice Group. This month, we kick off the first in a series of articles answering some of the most asked questions about the mediation process. When we recommend our clients consider mediation in their case, one of...