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Divorce
We are prepared to guide you through every aspect of your divorce.
Child Support
In the eyes of the court, parents must put the well-being and best interests ahead of their own.
Skilled Divorce and Family Law Attorneys in Howard and Montgomery Counties
Assisting clients from offices in Fulton, Columbia, Bethesda and Rockville
McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers represents clients throughout Maryland, including Rockville, Bethesda, and communities across Montgomery County, as well as Fulton, Columbia, and Howard County. We know that the decision to end a marriage is rarely an easy one. Whether it was by mutual agreement or not, both parties will have practical, financial and emotional considerations to contend with, and those considerations can lead to heated disagreements. The untangling of two lives is a complex process; you’ll want competent, trustworthy guidance from the start.
At McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers, we have built our reputation as skilled negotiators and litigators by offering counsel designed to eliminate any uncertainty our clients may have. We are experienced family law and divorce attorneys serving families in Howard and Montgomery Counties. We assess your levels of preparedness and your goals, help you prioritize your needs, and offer you a path toward the best possible outcome. By maintaining multiple offices in Fulton, Columbia, Bethesda and Rockville, we ensure that our team is available to you when you need us the most.
How McCabe Russell helps with Maryland family law matters
- Capable representation for clients considering divorce in Montgomery County and Howard County, including Rockville, Bethesda, and Fulton
- Family law services from the firm you can trust
- Firm founders Heather McCabe and Emily Russell are court-qualified Best Interest Attorneys (formerly referred to as a Guardian ad Litem) in the state of Maryland
- Help for same-sex couples seeking a divorce in Maryland
- Why McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers is the reputable choice
- Frequently asked questions about custody and divorce in Maryland
- Experience the difference experience makes
Capable representation for clients considering divorce in Montgomery County and Howard County, including Rockville, Bethesda, and Fulton
The dissolution of a marriage is, in a way, the termination of a legal relationship. As such, there are certain processes that must be followed to guarantee that you ultimately receive the outcome you choose. The difficulties, of course, often lie in the emotional reactions both parties will have – reactions that are sometimes surprising, and sometimes more visceral, than either person was expecting.
As your Maryland divorce attorneys, we help you with the initial planning for your divorce, so that you enter into negotiations or litigation with your eyes wide open. It is important to us that you understand all the potential consequences of both your decisions and actions, as well as those of your spouse and of your children. If both you and your spouse can reach an agreement about crucial elements – asset division, your child’s education, business interests, etc. – then you may be able to avoid some of the uglier arguments that many couples have, and move more efficiently and easily into an uncontested divorce. For some of our clients, mediation and collaboration have led to fruitful discussions and better results than they previously thought possible.
If, however, you find that either you need to be more aggressive or your spouse has become more aggressive, or if the stakes are particularly high for financial reasons, you will want an experienced divorce lawyer on your side. We regularly represent clients in high-conflict divorce cases in Rockville, Bethesda, and throughout Montgomery County, where the stakes (both financial and personal) are significant. Our firm has earned a reputation for our work in these types of divorce proceedings. We offer competent counsel in the areas of:
- High-conflict divorce
- Personal asset and debt division
- Division of business assets
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
- Alimony agreements
No matter what your specific needs are, we help you craft a strategy to move forward that works for you, your children, and your future.
Family law services from the firm you can trust
Divorce is an important element of family law, but for couples with children, it is hardly the only one. Some of the most contentious battles are fought over the children. Our role is to show the court that your best interests are aligned with those of your children. Heather McCabe is a trained Parenting Coordinator and can help you and your spouse work through the creation of a parenting plan, as well as to learn the skills necessary to create a healthy parent-child relationship.
You can rely on us to provide honest, thoughtful counsel in regard to:
- Child custody plans
- Child support agreements
- Modifying existing agreements, such as in the case of parental relocation
- Proving paternity
Firm founders Heather McCabe and Emily Russell are court-qualified Best Interest Attorneys (formerly referred to as a Guardian ad Litem) in the state of Maryland.
As such, they advocate on behalf of a child’s best interests – as opposed to the child’s wishes – in cases where the parents are unable to reach an agreement themselves, or when a judge appoints such an attorney to a child. In cases where a parent or a child has been subject to abuse, or if an individual is in crisis, our firm can also help you obtain a protective order or peace order, depending on your needs.
Not all change is bad, of course. Family lawyers do more than represent parents and children in courtrooms during divorce proceedings; we also help families grow. Our Howard and Montgomery County adoption attorneys represent step-parents and LGBTQ couples, as well as minor and disabled birth parents.
Help for same-sex couples seeking a divorce in Maryland
Since Obergefell v. Hodges was decided, we have seen a marked increase in the number of law firms offering same-sex divorce services. Same-sex families often face a different set of challenges than traditional families do, and as such, require an in-depth understanding of the laws that can affect them. Our attorneys provide comprehensive counsel and representation on behalf of LGBTQ families. We routinely handle complex cases involving:
We understand that the laws that protect opposite-sex couples in such an obvious way do not always provide you and your family the same protections. It is our duty to ensure that those protections are offered to you, your spouse and your children from the start.
Why McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers is the reputable choice
As divorce attorneys, it is our responsibility to advocate on behalf of our clients. It is also our responsibility to help people who are in varying stages of acceptance (or grief) come to terms with the new, healthier structure of their family. This responsibility means something to us, both personally and professionally. Our primary goal is to help our clients find a better path toward a better future.
When you work with McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers, you work with dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced attorneys and staff who understand not only the intricacies of the laws and the potential effects they might have on your case, but also how each family’s unique circumstances will dictate how we move forward. Even when both parties mutually agree that a divorce is best, it can still be a challenging, frustrating and heartbreaking time in their lives. We offer our clients unwavering legal and emotional support so that they can find peace, solace and happiness in their new lives.
Frequently asked questions about custody and divorce in Maryland
Divorce involves a lot of complicated issues, including some you might not think of right away. Dividing property and figuring out how to approach co-parenting when children are involved can be extremely challenging. Your best option is to speak to a Maryland divorce lawyer who can discuss how these issues may apply in your particular case. However, here are a few answers to questions we commonly hear from new and prospective clients.
How long does a divorce take in Maryland?
There is no firm Maryland divorce timeline. Various factors can shorten or lengthen the process. For example, uncontested divorces may be faster than a contested divorce. Courts in Montgomery County (including Rockville and Bethesda) and Howard County can get busy, affecting court scheduling dates and timelines.
Specific factors involved in each case also affect timing, including:
- Custody disputes
- Complex assets
- The level of cooperation between parties
Also, Maryland recently simplified its divorce laws. You don’t need to prove 'fault.' Now, you can file based on a 6-month separation, mutual consent, or irreconcilable differences.
The actual timeline can range from a matter of months to over a year. We can discuss how you can help move things along and what might delay the process.
How is child custody decided in Maryland courts?
Maryland child custody laws revolve largely around the best interests of the child standard. Common factors that the court considers include:
- Parental fitness
- Stability
- Relationship with each parent
- Willingness to co-parent
You can discuss these factors with your lawyer and determine what custody arrangement you want to advocate for and why you think it will be best for your child or children.
What does a divorce lawyer cost in Rockville or Bethesda?
We often get asked how much a Rockville divorce lawyer will cost, or what’s the cost of a divorce attorney in Bethesda? The truth is, costs for clients in Rockville, Bethesda, and across Montgomery County may vary from case to case based on many factors. A contested divorce will often cost more than one that is uncontested. The complexity of your assets, your custody issues, and whether the divorce will impact your business interests can all affect the overall cost. The ability to negotiate, mediate, and cooperate also matters when it comes to overall expenses. The more hotly disputed matters, the more fees you and your former spouse are likely to incur. We can discuss the details in your first consultation.
Is mediation required in Montgomery County divorce cases?
In Montgomery County, courts often require or strongly encourage mediation in custody cases, and encourage it in other matters as well. The purpose of mediation is to reduce conflict and promote agreement between the parties. Howard County courts will have a similar approach. However, mediation may not be appropriate if a case involves abuse or significant power imbalances. Sometimes, litigation is the better or only possible solution.
Where do I file for divorce if I live in Rockville, Bethesda, or Fulton?
Where you file your divorce is based on where you live. If you’re in Rockville or Bethesda, you will typically file in Montgomery County Circuit Court. For residents of Fulton and Columbia, you will typically file in Howard County Circuit Court.
Do I have to go to court for a divorce in Maryland?
People often think of court as trial, but the truth is, most of the cases in Montgomery County and Howard County will resolve without trial. Still, you may need to go to court appearances as you work to complete the divorce process. Your lawyer can be there for you throughout, so don’t worry about what to expect. They can prepare you. If your divorce is uncontested and you’re able to resolve many of the issues amicably, the court’s involvement might be minimal. If you’re contesting custody, asset division and other matters, you might have to spend more time in the courtroom, including at hearings, although you still may never go to trial. Your Maryland divorce lawyer can discuss these possibilities with you.
Can custody or support orders be modified after a divorce in Maryland?
Even as your divorce comes to a close, you may wonder whether you can modify custody in Maryland. The answer is yes, it is possible. To change a custody decision, you need to show that there is a material change in circumstances that makes it necessary to change the order to support the best interests of the children. Let’s say the parents whom the children are spending more time with got a new job and will be traveling frequently. You may need to switch which home they spend most of their time in to accommodate this change.
Additionally, these big changes can require alterations to child support. Child support in Maryland is based on where the children live and what the parents earn. Major changes to those factors can lead to child support modification in Maryland. A change in the child’s needs, for instance, new medical needs, can also require modification.
Whether your order was issued in Rockville, Bethesda, or Howard County, you’ll typically return to that court to make the changes official.
What should I expect when working with a divorce lawyer in Montgomery County or Howard County?
When you work with a divorce attorney in Montgomery County or Howard County, the process typically begins with an initial consultation to identify the key issues in your case and outline a strategy moving forward.
Each step, every negotiation and courtroom appearance, your lawyer can be there to represent and protect your interests. We are your advocate, the one in your corner working toward an outcome that will safeguard your future.
Experience the difference experience makes
For years, McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers has been the law firm that your friends, family and neighbors have trusted to help them find a new way forward. Our team of seasoned litigators in Fulton, Columbia, Bethesda and Rockville has worked with families of all shapes and sizes throughout all parts of Maryland. If you need competent divorce and family law counsel, we are ready to uphold your rights and protect your interests. Please call us today or fill out this contact form to schedule a time to speak with a Maryland divorce lawyer at one of our offices.
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Anna
Absolutely a wonderful team and law firm that is efficient, organized and communicative, which is what you need when you're going through a divorce. Jenn and Summer were excellent. They guided me through a divorce process every step of the way by keeping me informed constantly. Thank you ladies for a superb service!
Anna
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Heather Ludwig
Madison, Heather, and their team were the greatest advocates I could ask for in my divorce and custody case in which was contentious and intense. Their quick response time, accessibility via many communication platforms, deep knowledge of case law and procedure, and ability to look at the wholistic cost benefit analysis of major decisions we were making both in a financial and relationship lenses - were incredible. <read more>
Heather Ludwig
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Sara Alizai
Most committed Family Law firm in the dmv and so committed to their community ! When I was at my lowest of lows, this law firm made me whole again. Not only were they knowledge but they were the most dignified group of lawyers. I’ve recommended them to any friend I knew in a hardship.