Accomplished Maryland Lawyer Helps Resolve Family Law Matters 

Experienced Frederick-area lawyer represents individuals in divorce and other domestic matters

A legal matter involving your family can be particularly stressful, even when it’s something joyful like adopting a child. This is why it is important to hire an attorney with significant experience handling family law matters and who can help protect your rights and financial interests. At my Frederick-based firm, The Law Office of Tara Shoemaker Esq. LLC, I represent clients throughout the city who are going through a divorce, dealing with an alimony or child custody dispute and much more. For more than a decade, I have advocated for clients in these critical matters with the goal of achieving optimal results in every case.

Assertive family law attorney helps Maryland clients facing divorce

Whether you are contemplating filing for divorce or have been served papers by your spouse, we can discuss the legal standards and facts in your case related to:

• Asset division — Under Maryland's Marital Property Act, all marital property is subject to equitable distribution. I will explain what assets qualify as marital property (for example, a house you bought during the marriage), non-marital (property bought prior to the marriage) or part marital and part non-marital (perhaps a house that was bought by one party prior to the marriage but where both contributed to mortgage payments after the couple wed). I will thoroughly review all assets and property and strive to protect your interests.
• Alimony — Spousal support or alimony is typically a temporary arrangement to help support one party while they regain their earning ability during and after the divorce. For instance, a stay-at-home spouse might need additional education or training before returning to the workforce. I will explain what likely scenarios you can expect given your income and other factors and advocate for a fair award, whether you are the paying or receiving party.
• Child support — Many financial and circumstantial factors come in to play when determining what amount of child support will be awarded to the custodial parent (the parent with whom the child resides most of the time). In addition to regular direct money payments, the award might take tuition, child care and other financial considerations into account., including child support and custody, you may be able to settle on a marital agreement rather quickly. In uncontested divorces, my goal is to settle the details of your divorce with the opposing side, avoiding additional negotiation and court time.

Dedicated Frederick lawyer represents clients in child custody matters

If both parents cannot come up with a suitable child custody arrangement on their own, the court will make the decision based on what is deemed to be in the best interests of the child. In Maryland, many types of custody arrangements are possible, including:

• Joint legal custody — Although your children may have one primary residence, joint legal custody would mean both you and your ex-spouse share decision-making authority when it comes to your child’s upbringing, schooling etc.
• Shared physical custody — When physical custody is shared, your child will live in both your residence and the other parent’s at least 35 percent of the time.
• Sole custody — In this arrangement, one parent is given sole legal and/or physical custody of the child while the other parent is granted visitation rights.

If a compromise cannot be negotiated, I will vigorously pursue the best possible outcome for you and your children in court.

Contact a zealous Maryland family law attorney

Located in Frederick, the Law Office of Tara Shoemaker Esq. LLC has successfully negotiated and litigated a wide range of family law matters. Call me at 240-215-3131 or contact me online to schedule a consultation.