Family Law Archives - Zirkin and Schmerling Law

Can I Get My Ex to Pay More Child Support?

In an ideal world, the child support system would be easy to navigate and automatic.  It would be wonderful if child support payments were automatically adjusted every year based off of cost of living and income changes….but unfortunately “automatic adjustments” do not exist for child support. Child support can be determined both as a result […]

Maryland Child Support FAQ

Parents are often nervous about the Maryland child support process and wonder how much they’ll be ordered to pay. There are many factors involved and the complexity of the calculation calls for the insight of an experienced Maryland child support lawyer. If you have questions about child support in Maryland, we’re here to help. Below, […]

The 14 Do’s & Don’ts of Divorce

Over the years, I have helped guide many clients through many divorces, both amicable and and not so amicable. I have seen firsthand what an emotional and difficult process it can be to exit a marriage that was supposed to last forever. I have also gathered some easy-to-follow pointers to help my clients who find […]

Meet Kristen Fon L. Lim, Associate Attorney

Zirkin & Schmerling Law welcomes Kristen Fon L. Lim as she joins the firm. She’s an associate attorney and will primarily practice family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, and visitation arrangements. Prior to joining Zirkin & Schmerling Law, Kristen worked as a public defender and children’s attorney in Baltimore. During her time as […]

10 Factors a Judge Considers in a Maryland Custody Case

When you’re going through a divorce and the child custody process, it may feel as though the state of Maryland is suddenly snooping into your life. Now a judge wants to know all kinds of details about your finances, relationships, home setup, and parenting style. A family law and child custody attorney can help you […]

Custody Withholding During Coronavirus

The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on many couples’ custody agreements causing disruptions in schedules and co-parenting relationships. Maryland’s stay at home order specifically delineates that parents are required to follow whatever custody order they have for their minor children. However, many parents are withholding their children from the other parents, stating that they are worried […]

Domestic Violence in Carroll County

About 33% of women and 10% of men will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. In fact, more women are injured every year by domestic violence than muggings, car accidents, and rapes combined. There has been a rise in domestic violence reports over the past few years in Carroll County, Maryland. Although […]

Legal Guardianship An Important Step in the Lives of the Child, the Parents and the Guardian

You’ve probably heard the term “legal guardian.” Do you know exactly what it means? A legal guardian is a non-parent adult who temporarily takes responsibility for a child, even if the child’s parents still retain their parental rights. A legal guardian addresses the child’s basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter. They also support the child’s […]

What You Should Know About Torts, Spousal Relationships and Divorce

Do you know a major change to Maryland tort law allows you to sue your spouse for harming you? Even though it’s been 16 years since this change was put into effect, it’s still a complex area of the law to understand. Here is what you need to know about torts, spousal relationships and divorce. […]

In The Know: Child Adoption in Baltimore

Adopting a child in Baltimore is a thoughtful decision that’s carefully planned. We often consider adoption as a way to start a family after a desire to parent a child goes unfulfilled – such as infertility or to defy the biological clock. Other times, we adopt out of a sense of duty to a child […]