Family Law FAQs
What should I do when I discover my spouse is cheating on me?
When you catch your spouse in adultery, it’s normal to feel hurt, angry, and confused all at the same time. You likely have dozens of unanswered questions and mixed feelings.
Before you take drastic actions—such as immediately filing for a Maryland divorce—your very first step should be to seek counseling from a professional who can help you sort through all these confusing feelings.
Next, you will need to make some tough decisions, including whether or not to stay married. Here are some questions you will want to ask yourself when deciding what to do after finding out your spouse has been unfaithful:
- Do you still love your spouse?
- Are you willing to work on forgiving your spouse?
- Can you imagine a day where you might be able to trust your spouse again?
- Can you picture a future with your spouse?
- Do you want to stay married, or are you set on a Maryland divorce?
- Is your spouse sorry for what he or she did (or just sorry about getting caught)?
- Is your spouse wiling to give up the affair?
- Is your spouse willing to get counseling or other help?
- Do you believe your spouse can stay away from temptation in the future?
- Does your spouse want to stay married, or is he or she asking for a divorce?
The answer to many of these questions may very well be “I don’t know” at first. When you’ve been hurt by a cheating spouse, the healing process takes time and hard work. It may be months before you even know whether or not your marriage can last.
If you or your spouse is unwilling to continue the marriage, it’s time to talk to a Maryland divorce attorney about other options. Call Nickelsporn and Lundin, P.C. at 800-875-9700.
What are the signs of a vindictive spouse when trying to agree on Maryland divorce terms?
Whenever you’re dealing with divorce, it’s common for conversations to get heated and feelings to get hurt. You’re talking about a person who was once very close to you, who knows you very well, and therefore knows what buttons to push to get you mad or how to hurt you the most.
Sometimes, one spouse uses this information to become a vindictive, spiteful ex-spouse, which makes the divorce process in Maryland that much more difficult and complicated. Here are a few possible signs that one of the spouses is being vindictive:
- Purposefully saying hurtful things
- Making personal attacks
- Lying about the spouse to the judge, family, or friends
- Demanding things he or she knows the other spouse wants
- Acting out of anger rather than acting rationally and calmly
- Going back on his or her word
There’s a difference between being vindictive and fighting for what you really want. A vindictive person will flat-out refuse to compromise and demand whatever he or she knows the other spouse wants most.
A person who is simply fighting for a better deal is willing to negotiate but knows when to stand firm—without getting angry.
Sound like a lot of work? It is—especially when you’re trying to discuss terms with someone who was once your best friend. Hurt and anger are common (and valid) feelings that are hard to overcome.
That’s why so many divorcing couples rely on the experience of a skilled Maryland divorce lawyer to help negotiate the details during this difficult time. To see how we can help you, call 800-875-9700 to speak to the attorneys of Nickelsporn and Lundin, P.C.
My spouse and I recently have decided to divorce. What expenses should I expect when I’m going through divorce proceedings in Maryland?
It seems like everything costs money these days, and Maryland divorce court is no different. You paid to get married, and you also must fork out some money to get divorced.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for your checkbook more often than you might expect. A divorce in Maryland can easily cost a minimum of $10,000, and much more if you have a contested divorce.
A few common costs you can expect to incur in divorce proceedings include:
- Fee for filing for divorce in Maryland
- Costs for obtaining any requested official paperwork regarding your assets, debts, etc.
- Hiring a mediator to help negotiate the divorce settlement
- Hiring a skilled Silver Spring divorce lawyer to protect your rights in the divorce proceedings
If you cannot afford to pay court costs, you might be eligible for a waiver. Ask your attorney for details.
Don’t forget the non-court expenses you will need to pay, too. If you and your spouse are at the beginning of the divorce process, you might still face the expenses of dividing a household.
For example, you likely will need money for rent on a second apartment or house and new furniture (for example, a second bed) for your new place. There also are other little costs for things such as kitchen and bathroom essentials.
If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, talk to an experienced Maryland divorce lawyer at 1-800-875-9700 to get a better idea of what to expect before you make any final decisions.