Maryland Family Law Attorney
Barbara Palmer
When you are in the throes of a divorce or other family crisis, it is important to have a competent and experienced family lawyer to represent your interests. A divorce, child custody case or other family law case does not always have to be a combative experience. Even when the issues are complex, your future is at stake and emotions are running high, a skilled family attorney can work to protect your legal rights while avoiding unnecessary conflict and heartache as much as possible.
With over 20 years of legal practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, I assist clients to amicable resolutions while remaining a strong and experienced advocate. As a Maryland Family Law Attorney, I serve a diverse array of clients who depend on my experience, reputation and steady hand to protect their rights and guide them through complicated and often heart-wrenching legal issues. I represent both men and women on either side of the following practice areas:
- Custody
- Divorce
- Separation Agreements
- Guardianship
- Prenuptial Agreements
If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case, and you need the help of an experienced Maryland Family Law Attorney, call Barbara Palmer today at 866-737-8591, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Divorce:
A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity or other form of terminating a marriage. Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc.
Property and Debt Division:
Marital property attained during marriage, regardless of whose name it is under, can be divided. Marital property can include real estate (including a home bought in contemplation of marriage), pension plans, vehicles, bank accounts, income tax refunds and/or household furnishings. However, property that is inherited by one spouse is not considered marital property, i.e. a family business or estate. If you are contractually bound with your ex-spouse on a debt, the creditor can require the entire payment of that debt from your share of the community property even though the divorce decree assigns the debt to your ex-spouse. Depending on the terms of your divorce decree, you may be able to have certain support obligations under the divorce decree determined to be non-dischargeable by the bankruptcy court or in state court.
Prenuptial Agreements:
A prenuptial, or premarital agreement (often referred to as a "pre-nup") is a written contract created by two individuals who plan to be married. This agreement lists all individually owned property, such as homes and businesses, family assets, stocks and bonds, savings accounts as well as debts, and specifies what will and will not remain individually owned property after the legalization of marriage. Prenuptial agreements also specify whether spousal support will be paid in the event of a divorce, and the intentions regarding distribution of individually owned property upon death.
A factor that cannot be stipulated in a prenuptial agreement is child support. A couple cannot lawfully agree in a prenuptial agreement that either part will in no way be responsible for child support. Also, a few states do not allow prenuptial agreements to modify or eliminate the right of a spouse to receive court-ordered alimony at divorce, although a prenuptial agreement can facilitate in the degree of compensation.
Child Custody:
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions such as education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare. Custody usually refers to a combination of physical custody and legal custody. Many factors influence an award of custody and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children. If you are awarded the children as a primary custodial parent, it has far reaching consequences both to you and to their well-being and development.
Alimony is temporary or permanent financial support paid from one separated spouse to the other, either in one lump sum or in installments. Alimony is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses over and above the money provided by child support. Alimony differs from child support because it is at the discretion of the judge. Child support is usually determined by state-sanctioned guidelines.
There are several factors a judge considers when deciding whether to grant alimony. These differ from state to state, of course, but they usually involve things like the parties' relative ability to earn money, both now and in the future; their respective age and health; the length of the marriage; the kind of property involved, and the conduct of the parties. In general, about the only time a judge will award alimony in most states is where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other spouse for most of a lengthy marriage.
If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Maryland Family Law Attorney, call Barbara Palmer today at 866-737-8591, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.
Professional Profile
If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Maryland Family Law Attorney, call Barbara Palmer today at 866-737-8591, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.
ADDRESS OF FIRM:
Joseph, Greenwald, & Laake, P.A.
Barbara Palmer
6404 Ivy Lane, Suite 400
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 866-737-8591
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
Barbara Palmer, Attorney
EDUCATION:
- Brooklyn College, City University of New York, B.A.
- American University, J.D., 1983
JURISDICTIONS LICENSED IN:
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Maryland Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Courts face new challenges in faith-healing cases (Freedom Forum Online)
NASHVILLE — Most states have child-abuse laws allowing some religious exemptions for parents who shun medicine for their sick children, but a few recent cases highlight thorny legal issues for parents following less-recognized faiths. - ONLY ON WITN: Mother of Suspect In Greenville Double Murder Speaks Out (WITN 7 North Carolina)
Dorothy Richardson says she is outraged at Greenville Police Chief William Anderson. Meanwhile bond for James Richardson has been set at $5,000,000. - Planning director found dead (Delaware Coast Press)
PRINCESS ANNE -- Jack Willing Jr., chairman of the Somerset County Board of Education and the county's planning director, was found dead Wednesday night of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Maryland State Police. - Authorities Investigate Death of Somerset County Board of Education President (WBOC Salisbury)
DEAL ISLAND , Md.- Investigators are probing the apparent suicide of Jack B. Willing Jr., who served as the president of the Somerset County Board of Education and as director of the Somerset County Planning and Zoning Commission. - Associated Press Friday Headlines - 7/3/2009 (WLIO NBC Lima)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - There are still no clear signs how Ohio's week-old budget impasse will end. - Slain boy's mother to sue Arundel schools (Baltimore Sun)
System failed to protect victim, lawyer says A lawyer for the mother of Christopher Jones, the Crofton teen who died in an apparent eruption of suburban gang violence, has notified the Anne Arundel County school system of the family's intention to sue for failing to protect the 14-year-old from gangs at school. - Slain boy's mother to sue Arundel schools (Baltimore Sun)
System failed to protect victim, lawyer says System failed to protect victim, lawyer says - Courts face new challenge in faith healing cases (Asbury Park Press)
Most U.S. states have child abuse laws allowing some religious exemptions for parents who shun medicine for their sick children, but a few recent cases highlight thorny legal issues for parents following less-recognized faiths. Existing laws have gradually accounted for more well-known and established faiths, such as Pentecostalism, Christian Science and Jehovah's Witnesses. But recent cases in ... - The Fateful Wee-Z Bond: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper (Washington City Paper)
Morning all. The WaPo editorial board handed a spanking today to the D.C. Council, calling ‘ill-advised’ attempts by Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Phil Mendelson to prevent broadcasts of Ronald Moten ’s ‘open deposition’ on the fishy fire truck. - Inquiry continues into child's death in car (Baltimore Sun)
Ellicott City girl, 23 months, was left in car for nine hours Howard County police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a child left forgotten in a car seat who died of hyperthermia in a stifling vehicle.
Additional Questions or need further information?
