Carroll County Legal Separation
Reliable separation assistance for clients in Pikesville, Owings Mills, and Baltimore and Carroll County areas
A legal separation is often confused with a divorce, but they are very different. Unlike a divorce, a legal separation does not end a marriage. It simply allows a married couple to live apart for a period of time in a structured way that ensures their legal rights are protected.
A separation may evolve into divorce proceedings, or it could lead to the couple reconciling. The most important element of a legal separation is that neither spouse need fear for their legal or financial rights.
If you reside in Pikesville, Owings Mills, or Baltimore or Carroll County areas of Maryland and are considering either a legal separation or a divorce, contact a Carroll County divorce attorney at the Law Office of Kent L. Greenberg today.
Is legal separation right for you?
Legal separation may be ideal in these instances:
- When the couple needs time apart to decide on the future of their union
- Where one spouse needs medical benefits or other benefits that divorce would end
- When the couple's religious beliefs do not allow for divorce
The separation agreement
A separation agreement is the backbone of any legal separation. It is a legally binding document outlining the rights and responsibilities of each spouse during the time they live apart. The spouses remain legally married, and the separation agreement details certain issues that should be addressed during their time apart. Those issues include:
- Division of assets and debts
- Child custody
- Child support
- Visitation schedules
- Spousal support
This document must be approved by a court in order for a separation to be considered legal and for there to be any legitimate legal ramifications if either spouse violates the agreement during the separation.
Working with a Carroll County attorney on your separation agreement
The issues addressed in a separation agreement are often the same issues addressed in a divorce agreement. If a legal separation evolves into a divorce, the separation agreement often becomes the basis for a divorce agreement. Family law judges often feel that, if the agreement was acceptable to both parties during the separation, the same holds true for the divorce.
For this reason and many others, you should not take the drafting of a legal separation agreement lightly. It may well end up defining the legal terms for your relationship to your ex-spouse for the rest of your life. Speak with an experienced family law attorney from the Carroll County divorce law firm of Kent L. Greenberg if you are considering a legal separation.
Contact an experienced Carroll County divorce and separation attorney
In domestic legal issues, Carroll County divorce and separation lawyer Kent L. Greenberg believes in achieving the best possible decision in line with the best interests of our clients. If you require the services of an experienced matrimonial attorney in Owings Mills, Pikesville, or Baltimore and Carroll County, Maryland, contact the Law Office of Kent L. Greenberg today.
Serving clients in Owings Mills, Pikesville, and other areas of Baltimore and Carroll County.
