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Maryland residents who might be having marital problems may be interested in how separation. Unlike divorce, a couple that is legally separated is still married, but a number of issues that are common in divorce proceedings might also be discussed in separation orders. Such things as property division, child custody and maintenance, and support obligations might all be included in separation proceedings. There are also a number of different types of arrangements beyond legal separation and divorce. For example, some couples might opt for permanent separation. Under this arrangement, debts or assets accumulated by the married individuals may be considered separate property when a divorce occurs. Other couples might also choose to live separately. These arrangements may be common in jurisdictions that require a separation period before a couple might file for a no-fault divorce. In some cases, a couple might opt to engage in a trial separation. This type…

For Maryland business owners, the end of a marriage can bring significant damage to the structure of a business. Some savvy entrepreneurs will have drafted prenuptial or postnuptial agreements that address the manner in which the valuation and division of business assets should take place in the event of a divorce. However, many business owners did not foresee the end of their marriage, and did not envision a scenario in which they could lose a portion of what they worked so hard to build. Absent a marital contract, business assets are subject to the same process of division as any other form of marital assets. This means that both spouses will share in the divided value of the business, regardless of how much or how little either party contributed to the success of the venture. The first step of that process is placing a monetary value on the business. In…

We all have our coping mechanisms for difficult times. Sometimes those means of dealing with our troubles are rooted in beneficial behaviors and sometimes they are not. For one Maryland lawmaker, his means of coping with the difficulties of his divorce lead to an increase in excessive drinking and a boating accident that injured several people. Delegate Dwyer says that his drinking began to increase toward the end of last year's General Assembly session when his wife and he separated and then legislation he had long worked on failed due to what he feels was a betrayal by his colleagues. While one perceived betrayal would be enough to make many seek solace in a bottle, it appears that the double whammy of the divorce and failed legislation took its toll on the lawmaker. Delegate Dwyer claims that he has since gotten treatment and no longer drinks. While going through a…