The child support guidelines in each state serve a different purpose. But in both states judges are empowered to depart from the guideline to meet the needs of a child, whose needs will not be properly supported by a blind application of the product of the guideline. The courts will look at the lifestyle that […]
FAQs
Can a couple mediate some issues and litigate others in Maryland?
There’s no requirement that a couple has to mediate all the issues, or litigate all the issues in their particular case. A couple may not have any trouble agreeing on the custody arrangement but the financial issues may be hotly contested or vice versa. Each case is different. You never know what is going to […]
Once the amount and duration of child support have been set, can either be changed for either reason?
Both can be changed and they can be changed for a variety of reasons. The most common would be a change in the ability of the paying parent to pay the amount previously ordered. Or quite possibly an increased need in the parent who’s receiving the support, and of course a change in the needs […]
Is there always a trial in contested divorce litigation or can you settle out of court?
It is possible to settle out of court after a suit has been initiated. In fact that is most frequently the result of our cases. Only a small percentage of our cases make it to trial. It’s just too costly and oftentimes there isn’t enough to dispute to make litigation worthwhile for both sides, particularly […]
Can a high-conflict divorce still be mediated?
They can, and I try to get couples to sit in the same room because one of the benefits of mediation is the client’s ability to learn to communicate in a healthy manner. If one party is trying to instigate the other party into an argument, I step in and explain that it is not […]
Does every divorce-related issue have to be resolved with Alternative Dispute Resolution?
That is entirely up to the party. They can focus on particular issues at mediation or try to resolve them all in one or several sessions. We frequently mediate custody and child related issues such as child support separate from financial issues like property and alimony, or spousal support. They involve different and sometimes competing […]
When does child support typically end?
Child support typically ends when a child reaches age 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school as a fulltime student and living at home with a parent when they celebrate their 18th birthday, in both California and Nevada, support will extend. In California the support will extend until high school graduation. So, […]
Can you describe the mediation and arbitration process?
The mediation process starts with an agreement to mediate. That agreement will set forth the issues to be mediated, the mediator chosen by the parties, the date, time and duration of each of the mediation sessions, the cost of mediation, by whom they’d be paid and what, and if any information or documents will be […]
What is divorce mediation?
Mediation is a form of dispute resolution, a process when two people, or two parties, agree to meet with a neutral person usually an attorney or mediator to address the division of their assets, debts, child custody, spousal support and child support. Sometimes the parties meet with me without counsel and sometimes they meet with […]
How do the child support guidelines differ between California & Nevada?
California and Nevada have very different child support guidelines. While both states may be standardized, they weren’t required to adopt the same standard.
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