Author Archives: Amos Whitney
Top 3 QDRO Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands
QDROs may seem like mere paperwork—an afterthought. In fact, QDROs are very important because it’s often how one gets the money due to them. Before and after the divorce itself, it’s important to focus on QDROs in order to avoid costly mistakes. Here are the top three QDRO mistakes that can cost you thousand:… Read More »
Tips to Survive Cross Examination
There are many nerve-wracking parts of the litigation process because many parts of it can be unpredictable. One of the most common questions we get when preparing client’s for trial is, “does my ex’s lawyer get to ask me questions?” The answer is yes. Anytime you testify in court, the other side will be… Read More »
Co-Parenting Through High Conflict: Resources and Tools Every Family Should Know
Co-parenting during a divorce after separation or divorce can be one of the most challenging transitions a family faces. Even in relatively amicable situations, coordinating schedules, making decisions, and maintaining consistent communication can be difficult. In high-conflict cases, those challenges can feel overwhelming. Successful co-parenting is not just about cooperation—it’s about communication, boundaries, and consistency…. Read More »
Attorneys for Children During a Divorce
Many people going through a tumultuous divorce have the difficult decision of whether to ask the Court to appoint an attorney to represent their child(ren). What many litigants may not know is that there are actually, with each type of attorney having an entirely different role. Whether your child needs an attorney is up… Read More »
How Fast Can I get Divorced?
One of the biggest questions for people in Maryland seeking a divorce is: what is the fastest way they can get divorced? People can have many different reasons for wanting to get a divorce quickly but for many, many years that was not possible because of the requirements in Maryland for the granting of… Read More »
A Commentary on “Artificial Intelligence” in the Practice of Law
The emergence and rapid societal adoption of Artificial Intelligence has been fascinating to watch over the past few years. As an attorney my thought process has generally been – bummer for them – whenever I read about corporate staff expecting their cheaper more efficient digital counterparts to replace them. Classic lawyer hubris I suppose…. Read More »
Do I really need a QDRO? Isn’t my MSA enough?
Divorcing couples will sometimes read online that plans can be divided using only an MSA. This can be alluring because, after all, QDROs cost money and take time. With an MSA already in hand, the possibility of a shortcut is tantalizing. Is this just an Internet rumor? To begin, let’s acknowledge that MSAs do… Read More »
In QDROs, what is “equalization”?
Divorcing couples often “equalize” their retirement accounts. Is this a good idea? What does it mean? What pitfalls should they be aware of? To begin with, suppose Mr. Smith has a 401(k) with $100,000.00 and Ms. Smith has a 401(k) with $50,000.00. The money in both accounts was earned entirely during the marriage. They… Read More »
DO I NEED A CUSTODY EVALUATION IN MY CUSTODY CASE?
Many people have heard the phrase “custody evaluation” without really knowing what it is, and whether they need it in their custody case. In Maryland, Custody Evaluations are governed by Maryland Family Law 9-205.3, which defines a custody evaluation as: “a study and analysis of the needs and development of a child who is… Read More »
Can Offset Claim Parentage of Cardi B’s Baby with Stefon Diggs?
For anyone out there not familiar with rapper Cardi B, the superstar from New York City is going through a contentious divorce from fellow rapper, Offset from the Migos. Cardi B and Offset were reportedly married in September 2017, but the two of them have been estranged and feuding in the courts for some… Read More »
