Divorce is a crossroads in life that you never thought you would come to. Considering divorce later in life raises the stakes in a way that many people don’t realize until they are in the middle of it. At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C., we work with couples who are facing divorce, including those who are parting ways after decades of marriage, helping them to navigate the process and find a clear path forward. We understand that you have a family home, retirement accounts, and sometimes a business that you need to address. If there are minor children, there is that extra layer of custody and child support to handle.

Our connection to the community helps us understand the unique needs of divorcing spouses in Olney. Under Maryland Md. Code, Family Law § 7-103(a), there are three accepted grounds for divorce; mutual consent, six-month separation, or irreconcilable differences. Our experienced lawyers are prepared to assist with uncontested divorces, where spouses reach an agreement on the issues that must be resolved before the divorce can be finalized. Our office can also serve as a valuable resource and support system for couples who are navigating a contested divorce. A contested matter involves one or more issues the spouses cannot resolve themselves. Explore your legal options with us to determine the best decision for your future.

Options for Resolving Your Maryland Divorce

It’s important for spouses to work with a law firm that takes an active role in developing a customized divorce strategy. The primary factor that will shape how a divorce looks is whether spouses can agree. We can discuss Maryland’s legal process options with you to help you address matters such as real property division, financial asset separation, and alimony.

Options for resolving your divorce can include:

  • Negotiation: We represent spouses during negotiation, giving them, rather than a judge, the power to agree to a settlement without taking their disputed issues to the court in a public trial.
  • Mediation: Our lawyers have experience representing clients during contentious divorce mediation. This voluntary and confidential process for couples who value privacy, dialogue, and dignity..
  • Litigation: When spouses are involved in a contentious divorce and are unsuccessful at resolving one or more issues, we can guide them through the litigation process.
  • Collaborative divorce: Collaborative divorce involves each spouse working with their own collaborative attorney and other professionals as needed.
  • Mutual consent divorce: A couple can reach a mutual-consent divorce through negotiation, mediation, collaborative divorce, or another process.

As Olney family law attorneys, we represent clients during all types of divorces and the different legal processes that can take place.

Property Division, Alimony, and Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Olney

As experienced Olney divorce lawyers, we have seen how Maryland’s divorce laws directly impact divorcing spouses. It enables us to create a better strategy to directly address the couple’s needs while complying with the law. We actively represent clients through Maryland’s equitable distribution process. This includes properly classifying, valuing, and dividing marital property. We are accustomed to addressing high-value assets and are ready to address the unique challenges of complicated asset structures that may include a closely-held business, retirement accounts, or multiple investment portfolios. We also are accustomed to addressing the complex issues that can arise in relocation and international cases.

In some situations, alimony may be appropriate. Our lawyers discuss with clients the possibility of seeking alimony or their spouse seeking alimony support from them. Maryland law provides for several types of alimony, including pendente lite, rehabilitative, and indefinite alimony. Maryland does not use a fixed formula to determine alimony. Instead, courts consider the statutory factors in Md. Code, Family Law § 11-106, including the parties' financial circumstances, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the length of the marriage.

We commonly work with couples who have signed a prenuptial agreement or a postnuptial agreement. Maryland courts treat these as contractual agreements under Md. Code, Family Law § 8-101. Our lawyers start by evaluating the agreement to determine if it meets the requirements for enforceability. We then work with our clients to address the agreement’s terms and any marital assets that aren’t addressed within.

Complete Family Law Support for Olney Families

At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C., we understand that families may have legal needs that go beyond the divorce. As active community members, we have to be the trustworthy resource they can turn to. Our firm provides a comprehensive suite of legal services.

Our Olney divorce lawyer team handles the following family law matters:

As Olney family law attorneys, we strive to provide competent and customized legal services to the families in our community.

Contact an Olney, MD Divorce Attorney

Divorce can become particularly complicated when years of accumulated assets and financial interests are involved. Property division may require a close examination of real estate, investments, retirement accounts, business interests, and other significant assets. Our firm has experience handling these financial issues and is committed to helping clients make informed decisions. If you are considering divorce in Olney, contact us to schedule a consultation.