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Divorce is inherently disruptive, stressful and uncertain. Spouses often defer taking action long after it is clear the marriage is no longer working due to infidelity, addiction, abuse or irreconcilable differences. You may wonder how you will get through it with dignity - and with the ability to live peaceably in the future.

Successfully navigating the process requires clarity about your goals, confidence about your legal position, and courage throughout this most emotionally and financially stressful life transition.

As an experienced Maryland family lawyer, I help clients discern their own best strategies for maintaining a stable transition while divorce is pending, coach clients through the many decisions necessary to reorganize their lives and their families, and advocate for them with their spouse's lawyer and the court to obtain a fair and sustainable judgment or negotiated resolution.

Compassionate consultation to
discern your goals.

During our consultations I encourage candid sharing about your concerns, values, financial objectives, and your vision for an independent life after divorce. We’ll discuss your option to remain in the family home, and interim plans for parenting access and financial support. We’ll discuss your process options, such as lawyer-facilitated negotiations, mediation, collaborative divorce, and litigation as alternative processes for obtaining a divorce. Together we’ll develop a legal strategy for obtaining a divorce on terms that are fair and sustainable.

Informed by financial analysis
and children’s needs.

We’ll collaborate to develop settlement terms that fully address your financial and parenting needs. We’ll develop interim and post-divorce budgets as the basis for estimating child support and alimony on an after-tax basis. As part of our discussion, we’ll assess the feasibility of keeping the family home, as compared with dividing cash proceeds from a third-party sale. And we will also discuss children’s developmental, educational and health needs to promote their best interests in developing a principled, global settlement proposal for presentation to your spouse’s lawyer.

Tactical litigation to prepare for trial
and motivate settlement.

I will pursue your strategy diligently and keep you advised at every stage. Where negotiations stall, as an experienced trial lawyer I am prepared to aggressively and cost-effectively litigate contested issues through trial. I manage your case proactively toward an expeditious negotiated or judicial resolution, mindful that few clients have the resources or appetite for protracted litigation. And I follow through to ensure that marital assets are promptly and fairly divided so you can benefit from a fresh start.