Discovery is a legal process that enables you to gather pertinent information from the opposing party so that you can use it at trial. The discovery process enables you to gather all of the evidence you need to prove your case and also defend any claims made against you. In family law cases, it’s very common that each party will send interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admissions. Parties may also have depositions which means one party can ask other questions under oath.

It is imperative that you complete the discovery process because failure to do so can severely hamper your case. You will not be able to present evidence to the court if you did not disclose it in discovery. Furthermore, if a party refuses to comply with discovery, the court may order them to do so if it’s brought to the court’s attention. If you have any questions about the discovery process, please call us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to help.

• What does shielding a peace or protective order mean? It means that the court records are removed from the view of the public.

• Are physical records still kept at the courthouse if they are shielded? Generally, shielded records are removed to a separate and secure area where the general public would not have access to them.

• Are electronic records still accessible if they are shielded? No, electronic information will no longer appear on Case Search if they are shielded.

• Who can file a request to shield records? If the Respondent was found not guilty or if there is no pending interim or temporary peace or protective order, you may file a request to shield. There also must not be any pending criminal charges against the Respondent between the same parties and no other final peace or protective orders were previously issued against the Respondent from the same Petitioner.

• When can you file a request to shield? A request to shield may not be filed earlier than 3 years after the denial or dismissal of the Petition or after the consent expires UNLESS you file a Request for General Waiver. A Request for General Waiver means that you release all of your claims for damages or tort claims relating to this proceeding.

We frequently get asked questions about child support in Maryland. Here are some helpful tips:

• Both parents are responsible for providing financial support in Maryland regardless of whether or not they are married.

• The court determines the amount of child support based on the income of parents at the time of the order and certain expenses that are covered. These expenses include 1) work related child care costs; 2) health insurance expenses; 3) extraordinary medical expenses; 4) cash medical support; and 5) additional expenses covered under Family Law Article § 12-204 (i).

• A parent’s child support obligation continues until either your child turns 18 years old or as long as they are registered in high school. Child support will stop once your child turns 19 years regardless of their graduation status.

• A parent can request to modify a child support order if there has been a material change in circumstance. As always, it will be up to the court to make a final decision as to whether that modification request will be granted.

If you need assistance, please call us (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to meet with you to answer all of your questions.