ProActive Compassionate Fathers' Rights Maryland Custody Attorney
and Divorce Lawyer
with much Successful experience in
FATHERS' RIGHTS
regarding Maryland Divorce, Custody, Visitation, and
Child Support
in Maryland Family Law Courts
Offices in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County MD, Columbia in Howard County MD, and North Bethesda in Montgomery County MD
Also serving Queen Anne's County MD, Talbot County MD, Wicomico County MD, Worcester County MD, Ocean City, and All areas in
Maryland with No charge for travel-time to or from Court
Attorney Laura Matney has obtained Court Orders for Sole Physical Custody and for Joint Physical
Custody with Equal Time Sharing FOR
FATHERS many times in many Trials, Emergency Hearings,
and Settlements in many Family Law Courts around the state of
Maryland.
She also obtained a Reversal Of Custody by the Maryland Court Of Appeals in favor of the Father, awarding him Sole Legal
and Sole Physical
Custody, and refining Maryland Custody Law in the process with this Published Appellate Opinion.
Attny. Matney has much experience helping Fathers deal with Gaslighting and Projecting behaviors and false assertions
by Mothers of false claims of physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, and also some of these
abuses by Mothers against Fathers.
Attorney Matney has Much Successful Experience obtaining favorable Orders for her clients
in Custody and Child Support Trials
in many
Family Law Courts around the state of Maryland and in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and in the Maryland Court
of Appeals, and provides high-quality, thorough, caring, and vigorous advocacy.
Attorney Matney also has much successful experience defending men against untrue Domestic Violence and Abuse claims, inflated Child
Support claims, obtaining Orders for Deviating Downward from the Maryland Child Support Guidelines, Relocation cases, and getting
undesirable Orders Vacated (i.e., ex parte Emergency Custody Order, Default Judgment, etc.).
Attorney Matney accepts Maryland Custody cases at the Trial level and at the Appeals level. She also accepts Maryland Custody cases
where Interlocutory Appeal is desired -- Where Clients want to appeal outcomes to Motions that are unfavorable to them before their Trials.
Laura Matney, Esq.
Matney Law Firm
1997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401
in Anne Arundel County Maryland
just off Jennifer Road across the street from Trader Joe's and Anne Arundel Medical Center
Offices also in Columbia in Howard County, MD (in the Columbia Gateway area, and North Bethesda in Montgomery County, MD (in
the Pike & Rose area)
Consults are available online Video, by Phone without video, or In-Person
Weekend, Evening, and Holiday appointments are available
Attorney Matney does NOT charge for Travel-Time to or
from any Court in Maryland
Attorney Laura Matney has extensive successful experience representing Fathers who have been taken advantage of, treated unfairly, treated badly, and/or deceived, who need an experienced dedicated
Maryland Fathers' Rights Lawyer who understands what they have been going through and the complexities involved and
to protect them and their children. She also helps Fathers when Mothers have intentionally alienated their children from them.
Attorney Matney has a J.D. and a Master's Degree in Psychology and has much experience helping men navigate the Maryland Family
Court system when dealing with Other Parties who have become
unsupportive and/or withholding, cold, excessively critical, hostile, aggressive, estranged, excessively controlling, mentally or
physically abusive, act as though they may have a mental disorder,
and/or act habitually angry and unpleasant to be near.
Attorney Matney works in a collaborative manner with the Other Party and her attorney whenever possible and proactively Settles cases on terms
favorable to her clients as early as possible.
Sometimes the other party and/or her attorney will not work in a collaborative or reasonable manner and it is necessary to act from a position
of Legal Strength to get the other side to settle on reasonable terms.
Attorney Matney has
successfully provided the
the
Legal Strength necessary to leverage good Settlements for her clients many times, and when unable to settle on favorable terms to her clients,
she has won at Trial Sole Legal and Sole Physical Custody and Joint Custody With Equal Time Sharing for her Father Clients many times in many Family Courts
around the State of Maryland.
Attorney Matney understands that ending up in a disappointing relationship happens to even the very best of people.
Attorney Matney also drafts Prenuptial Agreements for people who want to be able to decide ahead of time to possibly end
their marriages without Litigation, including possible such things as having each person's income after marriage
not count as marital property, neither party will possibly be responsible for the other's debts that are not jointly in both
parties' names, waiver of possible Alimony, right to Discovery, and Monetary Award, etc.
Attorney Matney is a member of the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal and state Courts in Maryland and DC.
Maryland Child Support Law Overview
Child Support law varies greatly from state to state.
The information on this web site concerns Maryland Family law only.
The information regarding Maryland Child Support Law on this page is general, could change at any time without Notice,
and is not meant to replace legal advice.
Maryland Family Law is drawn from the sources of the Maryland Code, Maryland Court Rules, and
Maryland Case Law.
Individual laws regarding Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Alimony, and Divorce cannot be fully
comprehended without understanding how they interact with each other and
within the elaborate Maryland Family Law Court system, and trying to interpret individual laws
without understanding this could decrease the chance of achieving an outcome favorable to you in your case.
Child Support in Maryland is based on a formula,
which is based on the factors of
how many over-nights the child spends with each parent,
the average monthly income of each parent, (or possibly how much either of
them could make if either one is "voluntarily under-employing" "or voluntarily impoverishing" himself or herself),
daycare expenses, medical expenses,
and some other factors.
"Voluntary under-employment" and "attribution of income" are issues that are too complex
to go into here. If you these issues may be involved in your case, you should discuss this with an attorney who has had
experience with these issues in Maryland Family Law courts as soon as possible.
In Maryland, "income" for determining child support is any and all income "from any source derived." --So if you are getting
income from a source in addition to your paychecks, the Master/Judge will include that in your "income" to be used
for determining child support.
Child support in Maryland is calculated based on these specific things and not based on any of the possible labels involving
"Legal custody."
The number of over-nights the child spends with each parent, which is a major factor that determines the
amount of
child support ordered.
See our page on Maryland Custody for an explanation of Maryland Custody terms such as "Legal" custody and "Physical" custody.
In Maryland, child support generally accrues from the date of filing, so if no child support is ordered
before the Trial,
the judge can order "back-pay" child support going back to the date of the filing.
Maryland Child Support laws apply to Mothers as well as to Fathers.
Child Support is separate from "Alimony" and/or "Monetary Award,"
and Maryland courts do not use a standard formula to determine Custody, Alimony, or Monetary Award.
Maryland Family Law decisions regarding Custody and Alimony are different than the issue of child support and are based on standards of and arguments of "equity," and/or "best
interest of the child," rather than on specific formulas or rules. The complex interaction of the separate laws regarding Custody, Child Support, Alimony, and Monetary Award
is one of the reasons why experienced Family Law attorneys usually avoid giving quick answers without discussion, analysis,
or clarification. Another reason experienced attorneys usually refrain from giving quick answers is because
they know that Maryland Law requires that each Family Law case must be judged independently from all others and each
judgment must be based on the unique set of circumstances that are involved in each case. Accordingly, in order to
give you the best advice possible (or even adequate advice) regarding your case, an
attorney would need to find out all of the unique facts and circumstances involved.
Maryland judges can deviate from the Maryland Child Support Guidelines if they
choose to do so. Judges have much discretion in Maryland Family Law courts.
The Maryland Family Law Court system is complex and Maryland Family Law
requires judges to consider many variables and laws before making a decision in each Family Law case.
Individual laws cannot be fully comprehended without understanding how they interact with
each other and within the elaborate Maryland Family Law Court system, and
trying to interpret individual laws without understanding this
could decrease your chance of achieving an outcome that is favorable to you in your case. It is therefore in your best interest
to have a full consultation with an experienced Family Law attorney regarding your particular case or situation
before making any agreements or filing anything with a Family Law Court.
Maryland Child Support Calculator
*Do not forget to fill in childcare costs either party may claim are necessary to work
and health insurance costs either party may likely claim -- This will affect the
amount of child support ordered.
**Be sure to also use the gross income for each of you -- The amount
of your paychecks before any deductions are taken out -- These are the numbers the Courts will use in regard
to your income you receive from employment. If you have any income that does not come from formal employment, but
from businesses you may be involved in, interest you may be earning, rent you may be receiving for properties you own
or co-own, etc.,
the Master/Judge will consider that income as well.
If you have your own business, and/or your child attends private school,
you should consult a Maryland Family Law Attorney as soon as possible.
***These numbers are for Child support only and do not include other support that may be awarded to married
parties, such as alimony, contribution to maintain the marital residence if the other side gets a "use and
possession" award, and/or monetary award.
What being "Above the Guidelines" means in Maryland Child Support Law:
In Maryland Child Support Law, if the combined income of the mother and the father together is greater than $15,000
a month, then this is called being "Above The Guidelines." This means the Judge can be creative in
setting the amount of child support. Some Judges choose to use software that simply continues with the
same formula at the higher numbers, but they are not obligated to do that. --They have the discretion to
set the amount a different way, so it is important to understand that the Judge could set it for more or less than
the software may indicate if the case is "Above The Guidelines."
Maryland judges can also deviate from the Guidelines even if cases are not "Above The Guidelines" cases if they
choose to do so. Judges have much discretion in Maryland Family Law courts.
Maryland Child Custody Law Overview
Child Custody law and procedure varies greatly from state to state.
This information concerns Maryland custody law only.
The information on this page is General information only about Maryland Child Custody Law and
is not
meant to replace Legal Advice.
Maryland Custody law does not allow family law judges to presume the Mother should get Custody instead of the Father,
and the child support laws apply to Mothers as well as to Fathers.
Today's Maryland Family Law is very different than many people think.
Family Law varies from state to state. Maryland Custody Law does not start out with a legal presumption favoring women or men,
or for Joint or sole Custody.
Maryland Family Law is drawn from the sources of the Maryland Code, Maryland Court Rules, and
Maryland Case Law.
The Maryland Family Law court system is complex and Maryland Custody Law requires Judges to consider many
variables and laws before making a decision in each Family Law case.
Individual laws cannot be fully comprehended without understanding how they interact with each other and
within the elaborate Maryland Family Law Court system, and trying to interpret individual laws
without understanding how they each interact with each other and within this system could decrease the
chance of achieving an outcome favorable to you in your case.
It is in your best interest to consult an Attorney with experience in Maryland Family Law courts
before agreeing to anything or signing anything regarding your Maryland Divorce, Custody, or Domestic
Violence/Abuse
case.
Individual Maryland laws regarding Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Alimony, and Divorce cannot be fully comprehended without understanding how they interact with each other and
within the elaborate Maryland Family Law Court system, and trying to interpret individual laws
without understanding this could decrease the chance of achieving an outcome favorable to you in your case.
Family Law varies from state to state. There is NO presumption of JOINT Custody in Maryland.
Some states do have a rebuttable presumption of Joint Custody -- Maryland is NOT one of those
states. Maryland Custody Law also has no presumption favoring mothers or fathers.
Terms used in Maryland Custody Law
There are two kinds of child custody in Maryland:
LEGAL custody and PHYSICAL custody.
Each has different rights associated with it.
LEGAL custody gives a parent the right to make broad, long-term decisions affecting the child.
PHYSICAL custody is what affects where the child lives, day-to-day decision-making, and child support.
Child support in Maryland is calculated by using the average monthly income of each of the parents,
the average number of overnights the child spends with each parent, health insurance costs, childcare costs,
and a few other factors.
Here are some examples:
Joint PHYSICAL Custody with Equal Access/Equal Authority
-- No Child Support if both parents earn the same amount
and both parents have equal rights as parents in regard to spending time with the child and making decisions about the child
Joint LEGAL Custody
-- Gives both parents authority to make long-term decisions regarding the child
Child Support is not affected by LEGAL Custody
and LEGAL Custody does not affect the visitation schedule with the child
*These are just some of many possible custody arrangements
See the attorney for details and find out the implications involved before agreeing to anything
Access to the child and child support are determined by PHYSICAL Custody
Joint LEGAL custody does not include Joint PHYSICAL custody unless specified
PHYSICAL Custody is sometimes called "Residential Custody," "Primary Care," or sometimes it is not
labeled at all and a schedule regarding overnights with the child is simply set (or agreed to) and it is then
that schedule (rather than a label or term) that determines child support and the right to make
the short-term, day-to-day decisions that go with "physical custody."
Main Factors Maryland courts consider when determining Custody
Although there are several factors the Maryland courts consider when awarding custody in Maryland, there is no specific
weight or priority assigned to these factors and there is no specific formula like there is for awarding child support.
The facts and circumstances of each particular case will be
determinative.
The relevant case law in Maryland holds that "there is no such thing as a simple custody case," that "custody
cases are like fingerprints because no two are exactly the same," and "that there is no
litmus test that provides a quick and easy answer to custody matters."
When deciding Custody cases, Maryland Judges consider the main Factors listed below.
These main Factors are listed as a starting point for people wanting to know very basic things
about Maryland Custody Law.
Main Factors
Sincerity of each of the parent's request;
Capacity and willingness of the parents to Communicate and to reach shared decisions affecting the
child's welfare;
Flexibility of each of the parents;
Prior voluntary abandonment or surrender of custody of the child;
Length of the separation of the parents;
Relationship established between the child and each parent;
Desire of the natural parents and any Agreements between them;
Fitness of the parents;
Character and reputation of the parents;
Potential for maintaining natural family relations;
Extended Family;
Preference of the child, if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to form a rational judgment;
Material opportunities affecting the future life of the child;
Age, health, sex, and number of children;
Residences of the parents and the opportunity for visitation;
Willingness of each of the parents to share custody;
Potential disruption of child's social and school life;
Geographic proximity of parental homes;
Demands of parental employment;
Age and number of children;
Financial status of parents;
Impact on State or Federal Assistance;
Benefit to parents
*Maryland Family Court Judges consider many variables when considering each of these main Factors.
Knowing this list of these main Factors does not necessarily include an understanding of the dynamics
that often occur in Maryland Family Law courts or of the many other variables Maryland Family Court
Judges often consider as Sub-Factors to many of these main Factors.
Changing Existing Custody Orders in Maryland
Attorney Matney has a Master's Degree in Psychology and a Law degree and has much professional experience working with people
with mental illness and also many years of successful experience practicing Law.
Attorney Matney has much successful experience representing Fathers in high-conflict complex Custody, Child Support, and Divorce cases involving
Borderline
Personality Disorder (AKA: Emotionally
Unstable Personality Disorder and/or Emotional Dysregulation Disorder), Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD),
Anti-Social Personalilty (ASPD, AKA: Sociopathic Personality Disorder),
Rapid Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Excessively Controlling Behavior, Emotionally Withholding Behavior,
Histrionic Personality Disorder,
Substance Use Disorder,
Emotional Disturbance, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia,
Learning Disabilities, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Aggressive Behavior,
Parental Alienation, Emotionally Generated False Information,
Cognitive Distortions, distortion campaigns,
School and Day Care issues, change of residence location, disability,
assertions of emotional abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect,
Anger Management issues, issues involving grandparents, defending against peripheral persuasion and surprise attacks,
and complex cases having to disprove lies and false
legal assertions.
Attorney Matney has much successful experience representing Fathers in complex High-Conflict Custody and Divorce cases
and
provides experienced representation and advice regarding navigating the Maryland Family Court System and managing high-conflict and
aggressive people.
Attorney
Matney accepts Divorce, Custody, Visitation, and Child Support
cases for ALL Courts in Maryland and she does
NOT charge for Travel-Time to or from any Court in Maryland.
Attorney Matney
provides compassionate guidance with individual attention
and proactive vigorous advocacy.
Attorney Matney also has extensive experience with Custody cases
involving Grandparents desiring Custody, does Mediation for Maryland Divorce and Custody
cases, and helps Clients with Settlement out of Court.
Attorney
Matney offers full representation in Court, assistance with
Settlement, and also offers assistance with drafting
Complaints and Motions for those who want to represent
themselves ("pro se").
Attorney Matney is a Maryland Divorce Lawyer and MD
Custody Attorney accepting cases from ALL
counties in the State of Maryland:
Montgomery County,
Frederick County, Carroll County, Howard County, Baltimore
County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Anne Arundel County,
Queen Anne's County, Prince George's County, Calvert County,
Charles County, St. Mary's County, Worcester County, Wicomico
County, Kent County, Talbot County, Dorchester County,
Allegany County, Garrett County, and Washington County
She does NOT charge for Travel-Time to or from
any Court in Maryland.
A
Maryland Court of Appeals published case regarding
Constitutional Rights and Maryland Family Law where Attorney
Matney obtained an Order for Sole Legal and Sole
Physical Custody for the Father wherein the Court refined and
clarified part of Maryland Child Custody Law in response to
her argument is McDermott v. Dougherty,
385 Md. 320 (2005).
*The McDermott case was later
upheld and expanded to also cover Maryland Visitation Law on
1/12/07 in the case of Koshko v. Haining.
Attorney Matney is a
Maryland Divorce Attorney and MD Custody Lawyer serving
Rockville,
King Farm,
Bethesda,
Kensington,
Chevy Chase, Potomac,
Gaithersburg,
Kentlands,
Germantown, Frederick, Silver Spring, College Park, Olney,
Burtonsville, Ellicott City, Columbia, Clarksville, Baltimore,
Mt. Washington,
Stevenson,
Owings Mills,
Towson,
Timonium,
Bel Air,
Laurel,
Greenbelt,
Beltsville,
Bowie,
Upper Marlboro,
Prince Frederick, Waldorf,
La Plata,
Leonardtown, Lexington Park,
Solomons,
Snow Hill,
Salisbury,
Cambridge,
Easton,
Chestertown, Hagerstown,
Cumberland,
Oakland,
McHenry,
Westminster, Severna Park,
Arnold,
Centreville, Annapolis, and all
areas in Maryland
Consultations with Attorney Matney can
be by online Video, Phone without video, or In-Person, but are by prior appointment only.
Attorney Matney's main office is in Annapolis, MD, but she
does accept Divorce, Custody, Visitation, and Child Support
cases in All courts in Maryland with No
charge for Travel-Time to or from any Court in Maryland.
Attorney Matney has obtained Court
Orders for Sole Custody and Joint custody with Equal Time
Sharing FOR FATHERS many
times in many Trials, Emergency Hearings, and Settlements in
Family Law Courts around the state of Maryland.
Attorney
Matney has also acheived favorable results for Appellate
cases and cases involving Immigration, Bankruptcy, and
Criminal Defense.
Laura Matney, Esq.
Matney Law Firm
1997 Exchange Pkwy, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401
Attorney Matney does
not charge for Travel-Time to or from any Court in Maryland
Some Main Points of Maryland Family Law
*The Maryland Family
Law referenced on this web site is for general information
only, could change without notice at any time, and is not to
be used to replace legal advice. Reading the
information on this site and/or sending us an e-mail or fax
does not create an Attorney-Client relationship.
Family Law varies greatly from State to State and the
information on this web site is in regard to Maryland Family
Law only.
Maryland Family Law
is drawn from the sources of the Maryland Code, Maryland Court
Rules, and Maryland Case Law. Individual Maryland
laws regarding Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Alimony,
and Divorce cannot be fully comprehended without understanding
how they interact with each other and within the elaborate
Maryland Family Law Court system, and trying to interpret
individual laws without understanding this could decrease the
chance of achieving an outcome favorable to you in your case.
Family Law varies from State to State.
There is NO presumption of JOINT Custody in Maryland.
Some States do have a rebuttable presumption of Joint
Custody -- Maryland is NOT one of those States.
While there are specific
Main Factors the Maryland Courts must consider when
deciding Custody cases, these various factors are not assigned
any particular weight or priority, and there are no specific
formulas for determining the schedule the child will have with
the parents. The status of Custody and the
particular visitation schedule of the child is decided based
on what is "in the best interest of the child," which is up
for argument based on the individual circumstances involved in
each case.
There are no specific formulas in
Maryland for determining Alimony or Monetary Award in Maryland
Divorce Law. While there are certain
Factors the Courts must consider when deciding Alimony and
Monetary Award cases, like the Factors listed for determining
Custody, they are not assigned any particular weight or
priority. The matters of Alimony and Monetary Award in
Maryland Divorce are determined based on what the Maryland
Courts find to be "equitable," considering the circumstances
of the parties and the unique factors involved in each case.
Another issue to be considered in Maryland
Divorce cases is "use and possession." In Maryland
Limited Divorce or an Absolute Divorce cases, Maryland Courts
may award immediate exclusive "use and possession" of the
"family home" and "family use personal property," such as
automobiles, furniture, family leisure equipment, etc., to
either spouse, and this can be ordered to last for up to
three years."
See our page on "Use and Possession" for details.
Maryland Family Law Court procedure is continually
evolving to manage the increasing volume of Family Law cases.
The procedures involved in the Maryland Family Law
Court system are very different from Maryland general Civil
Courts, Maryland Criminal Courts, and the Federal Courts.
It is in your best interest to consult an Attorney
with much experience in the Maryland Family Law Courts to get
specific legal advice regarding your individual case or
situation before making any agreements or filing anything
regarding a Maryland Divorce, Custody, or Domestic
Violence/Abuse case.
The actions you take and/or
the Agreements you make, if any, during the initial stages of
your Maryland Custody case and in the Maryland Family Court
early procedures before Trial, could have a significant
impact on your ability to acheive a favorable outcome in your
Maryland Family Law case.
Maryland Child Support Law Overview
Maryland
Custody Law Overview
Main Factors Maryland Judges use in determining Custody
cases
Changing a Current Custody Order in Maryland
Grounds for Divorce in Maryland
Residency Requirement for Divorce in Maryland
Marital
Property in Maryland
Use and Possession of Marital Property in Maryland
Alimony in Maryland Divorce Law
Legal Assistance with Abuse Claims in Maryland
Attorney Matney
does NOT charge for Travel-Time to or from
Court.
Attny. Matney
is a very experienced successful Maryland Divorce Attorney and
MD Custody Lawyer who accepts Maryland Family Law cases
serving
Montgomery County, Frederick County,
Washington County, Allegany County, Garrett County, Anne
Arundel County, Queen Anne's County, Prince George's
County, Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary's County,
Worcester County, Wicomico County, Carroll County, Howard
County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County,
Cecil County, and All counties in Maryland with
No charge for Travel-Time to or from Court.
Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring,
Burtonsville,
Laurel, Urbana, Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Oakland, McHenry, Silver Spring, College Park,
Olney, Baltimore, Mt. Washington, Owings Mills, Towson, Westminster, Annapolis, Centreville, Upper Marlboro, Prince Frederick, Waldorf, La Plata, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Ocean City, Salisbury, Snow Hill, Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City Mt. Airy, and the
greater Montgomery County, Frederick County, Washington
County, Allegany County, Garrett County, Anne Arundel County,
Howard County, Prince George's County, Charles County, St.
Mary's County, Carroll County, Baltimore County, Harford
County, Wicomico County, Worcester County, and All
counties in Maryland.
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State and Federal Divorce Law Directory Center
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