Top best Divorce & Separation Lawyers in ZIP 21701 | 4 available

I have been practicing family law for over 40 years, and have helped over 3,000 people through this often difficult process.  I handle all aspects of separation and divorce, including mediation, negotiations and litigation of simple and complex cases.  I work on child custody, visitation and child support cases, divorces involving significant marital assets and division of property and pensions, alimony, and even pet visitation.  My approach is to work hard to solve your problems, but not necessarily to "punish" the other side.  I want you to finish the process knowing that the outcome was "fair" and you dealt with things "honorably".. My hourly rates are at the high end for Frederick County, because of my experience and reputation.  However, I also rely on less expensive associate attorneys (with "only"  5 - 7 years of experience) to "build" your case while I serve as the "architect" doing the planning and strategic work that my experience and knowledge bring to the table.    The bottom line is that my final bill is ususally much lower than the other attorney's is,   even though they may  charge less per hour than I do.

All I do is family law, all day, every day. It's what I've done exclusively for over 20 years. Every family law attorney is a little bit different; choosing an attorney is intensely personal. You should be certain your attorney's personality and philosophy of family law are consistent with yours.At one point in my life, I was where you are now. When I divorced, I gave up a lot in the hope that my ex-husband and I would be able to move forward and co-parent our two children effectively in two households. Unfortunately, that was not to be. My ex-husband had no real interest in working with me as a co-parent. When the opportunity arose for us to resolve a difficult issue regarding our children, he chose to file in court rather than work with me.As a client, what I learned was that the court is not a good place for families. Judges don't care about your children. Heck, they don't even remember you once you leave their courtroom; I later appeared as an attorney before the judge who heard my case and I also delivered my annual holiday cookies to him, and he had no memory that he had seen me before or heard my case. My first attorney treated me as if I knew nothing and didn't care what I wanted for my family. My second attorney represented me ably and recognized that it was my life and I should be a partner in the decisions affecting me and my family. My case finally settled, but not before causing damage from that first hearing, the first attorney and to my child's mental health. I wish I could say my case was unusual, but it wasn't. It convinced me more than anything else that the courtroom should be the last resort for a family dispute.My philosophy is simple: it's not my life; it's yours. My job is to make sure that two things happen: first, that you clarify your vision for your life, post divorce or custody case; and second, that you choose the right process for your vision to become a reality. What that means for you is that we work together as a team, sharing information, brainstorming and problem solving. I provide you support, information and help you advocate for yourself and your family even as I am advocating for you. I help you decide whether mediation, collaborative divorce, traditional negotiation or litigation are the correct process for you and your family; and I support and guide you through whatever process you choose as right for you. You are never alone. I care what happens to you and your family.