Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What is the Ignition Interlock Program in Maryland?
Drunk driving is a dangerous problem in Maryland, one that results in approximately 171 fatalities and 4,026 injuries each year. To help minimize the impact and consequences of drunk driving and other traffic crimes, Maryland instituted the Ignition Interlock Program. What is an Ignition Interlock Device? An ignition interlock device is a mechanism that… Read More »
How Does Maryland Define Family and Marital Property?
In order to establish clear guidelines for property division during a divorce, Maryland employs several definitions for family and marital property. As highlighted in Code of Maryland 8-201, there are three types of property that are important during the divorce process — family home, family use personal property and marital property. Before progressing any… Read More »
Four Types of Child Visitation Schedules in Maryland
If a divorced couple has minor children in Maryland, then the parents must establish a child visitation schedule. These schedules help break down the specifics of child support, ensuring that both parents play a role in their children’s lives. In many cases, the parents are able to work together and isolate a mutually agreeable… Read More »
Limited Divorce vs. Absolute Divorce in Maryland
There are two different types of divorce in Maryland — limited divorce and absolute divorce. While many characteristics and requirements are the same for both types of divorce, there are notable differences between these legal devices. Limited Divorce in Maryland As established in Maryland Family Code 7-102, a state court can declare a limited… Read More »
How Does Maryland Law Address Different Types of Robbery?
There are four types of robbery in Maryland — robbery, armed robbery, carjacking and armed carjacking. While these four crimes have similar roots, the incarceration periods change dramatically based on the circumstances of the offense. In order to gain a firm grasp on this type of criminal offense in Maryland, the following sections will… Read More »
How Does Maryland Divide Marital Property During a Divorce?
When a married couple goes through the formal divorce process in Maryland, the court decides on a fair and balanced “equitable distribution” arrangement for property division. This is different from the “community property” approach in certain U.S. states — where the court simply divides all of the married couple’s assets in half. In Maryland,… Read More »
Emergency Child Custody Orders in Maryland
Whatever the individual circumstances of a child custody dispute, Maryland law prioritizes the best interests of the child or children involved. When there is an emergency or other dangerous situation which presents a threat to a child, then the Maryland courts have the power to intervene to protect the child or children involved when… Read More »
What is the Maryland Approach to Alimony?
In the process of completing a divorce, a Maryland court may decide to award alimony from one spouse to the other spouse. A type of support payment, a court usually awards alimony to address an imbalance of earning power and/or resources between the spouses. Regular alimony payments can help a spouse rehabilitate, recover and… Read More »
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Maryland
In modern times it is increasingly common for spouses to enter into a prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. In most cases, these agreements serve to protect the finances of one or both spouses. To provide a broad overview of this topic, the following sections will break down important characteristics of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements under… Read More »
Maryland Laws and Penalties for Marijuana Possession
Outside of certain exceptions for medicinal use, marijuana possession remains an illegal activity in Maryland. While the penalties for illegal possession of marijuana are not as harsh compared to other controlled substances, it is a crime nonetheless. In order to avoid a criminal record and even jail time, it is crucial to understand the… Read More »
