With so many people moving to Clarksburg, it’s become one of the county’s fastest-growing communities. That growth is exciting, as more young families move to the area and establish roots. However, life is unpredictable, and some of those families may find themselves facing divorce, custody, and spousal support legal questions. These questions can become more complicated, as families often have ties to another state. The Clarksburg divorce attorney team at Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. provides reliable and knowledgeable counsel for a wide range of matrimonial and family law matters and is dedicated to helping clients move forward with clarity.

Choosing How to Resolve Your Divorce

How individuals go about their divorce will depend on several factors. A Clarksburg family law attorney can advise on the available divorce options under Maryland family law. The best legal path forward greatly depends on each family’s circumstances. The attorneys at Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. have experience representing spouses in all divorce options. We also have trained mediators on our team, as well as adept litigators and negotiators.

Our Clarksburg divorce lawyer team can help you evaluate your divorce options, which may include:

Under § 7-103(a), there are three grounds for absolute divorce: six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, or mutual consent. An uncontested divorce generally means the spouses agree on the issues that need to be resolved. A contested divorce involves disagreements that may require negotiation, mediation, or a court decision. Mutual consent requires a written settlement agreement resolving the applicable issues. The agreement must include marital property division, alimony, and the care, custody, and support of minor or dependent children.

Parents must consider how their chosen divorce method could impact their family’s future. A couple’s co-parenting relationship can start off on the right foot when the spouses choose a collaborative approach. Parents can negotiate their custody and parenting time between themselves, rather than relying on the court to issue an order for them. Parents can use this as a bridge to establish a positive co-parenting relationship moving forward.

Creating a Parenting Plan That Works for Your Family

If divorcing spouses have children, Maryland Rule 9-204.1 requires that a parenting plan be completed. A Clarksburg divorce attorney can assist with creating a parenting plan to address decision-making authority, schedules, transportation and exchanges, and communication between parents. For parents who cannot agree, a family lawyer can assist with filing a Joint Statement (CC-DR-110) per Rule 9-204.2.

The Clarksburg family law attorney team at Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. can also assist families who are establishing their child custody arrangements. Our experienced attorneys will guide parents through the process, addressing common issues that parents may not have thought of. That way, parents can formulate a parenting plan that will adapt to the changing needs of their children as they grow. That way, the need for future modifications is reduced.

Protecting Your Family Across State Lines

Our Clarksburg family law attorney team understands the impressive growth the area has experienced and will likely continue to see for the foreseeable future. For many families, they bring with them existing divorce decrees, child support orders, and parenting plans. Multi-State Issues can bring up questions about enforceability and modifications.

At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C., our Clarksburg family law attorney team routinely works with clients who have moved to the area from another state. We guide clients through Maryland's statutory process for determining which state’s laws control the legal matter at issue.

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act governs which state has the authority to decide and enforce child support matters across state lines. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) governs how state authority is determined for child custody. Generally, Maryland will have jurisdiction over custody cases if the child has lived in Maryland for at least six months before the case is filed. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Speaking with a Clarksburg family law attorney can help parents determine if an exception applies to their situation.

More Ways We Support Clarksburg Families

Every family is unique, and with that, they have unique legal needs. As local Clarksburg divorce attorneys, we want Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. to be the first resource families turn to when they have questions.

We assist families throughout Clarksburg and the surrounding areas with a broad scope of family law matters, including:

Whether you need one or multiple legal services, the right law firm should be able to meet those needs. If you are unsure of what legal steps come next, speaking with a Clarksburg family lawyer can help you understand your options.

Contact a Clarksburg Family Law Attorney

From divorce to parenting plans, the attorneys at Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. are prepared to help the families of Clarksburg with their legal needs. We are prepared to assist with drafting new agreements or addressing your unique needs as they arise from multi-state situations. We tailor our representation to suit each client’s unique circumstances and needs. Contact us online or by calling 240-617-0404 to schedule a consultation.