Experienced Bowie Divorce Attorneys Handling Complex Family Law Issues

Skilled representation in Prince George’s County and throughout Maryland

Couples who have amassed substantial assets and properties during the course of their marriage face certain challenges unique to them. These challenges must be met proactively and aggressively in order to ensure that the process moves as smoothly as possible, and that your goals and needs are met from the very beginning. The seasoned Bowie divorce attorneys of Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC, put their 30 years of combined experience to work for every client. When you choose our firm, you are choosing a team with the skills, resources and determination to handle even the most complex family law matters.

Taking the first steps in the divorce process

No matter what the circumstances are regarding your divorce, every couple is subject to Maryland’s rules and laws. (The notable exceptions are military couples, who face potential problems in terms of residency and deployments. There are federal rules in place, with which we are intimately familiar, to help you.) In order to get divorced, either you or your spouse must have lived in Maryland for at least six months. If you have children, you must live apart for at least 12 months before you can legally divorce. If you have no minor children, and have executed a Separation Agreement, then the 12-month requirement may be waived.

If you and your spouse are filing for an absolute divorce in which you will legally end your marriage, divide your assets and build a plan for child custody, there are eight available grounds:

• 12 Month Separation
• Adultery
• Criminal Conviction
• Cruelty of Treatment
• Desertion
• Excessive Vicious Conduct
• Insanity
• Mutual Consent

If, however, you choose to file for a limited divorce, which will still address issues like custody, support and asset division but will not end your marriage in the legal sense, there are four grounds available: 12 Month Separation, Cruelty of Treatment, Desertion or Excessive Vicious Conduct.

Protecting the children

The court will make its decision regarding custody and access based on what is best for your child. If your child is of a certain age, a judge may (or may not) take that child’s views and preferences into consideration, but the ultimate goal is to ensure that your child’s best interests are protected. This is one of the reasons why we encourage same-sex couples to do a second parent adoption when they have children; it will guarantee you access to your child in the event of a divorce.

Child support, however, is based on a formula. Our job, as Bowie divorce lawyers, is to show exactly how much income you actually have, break down what your expenses are in terms of things like health care and education for your children, and to document evidence of the true costs associated with raising your child. We are particularly adept at finding “hidden” sources of income, which allows the judge to make the best decision regarding support.

Asset division and alimony

Our ability to find hidden assets also helps us make a stronger case for the equitable distribution of your property when it comes time to divide your assets. We have extensive experience working with couples with substantial assets, including stock portfolios, businesses, properties and retirement funds. Asset division can be a particularly contentious area of the law, even for couples who have, thus far, agreed amicably on everything else. We know how to appropriately value your assets so that the court is able to make equitable decisions about who will keep what.

The division of your assets may or may not play a role if you seek an alimony award as well. Alimony is never guaranteed, but the Bowie family law attorneys of Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC have achieved some of the most significant alimony awards on record here in Maryland. We are widely recognized by our peers and lauded by our former clients when it comes to securing an award that protects client interests.

The Bowie divorce lawyers you know and trust

If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you want an experienced Bowie divorce lawyer who can protect you and your children. Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC offers comprehensive representation to clients throughout Prince George’s County. We invite you to call 410.921.2422 or fill out this contact form to learn more about our services.