The Law Office of Neveen H. Kurtom, LLC, a family law firm that serves clients throughout Maryland, proudly announces that Neveen Kurtom has been listed among the 2022 Maryland Super Lawyers. Kurtom believes this recognition reflects the firm’s years of dedicated service and the high level of legal expertise it provides to its clients. She said, “This firm was founded on the premise that everyone deserves a trusted advisor and skilled legal advocate. I am honored to have that acknowledged by Super Lawyers.”

Super Lawyers is a designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation. Kurtom was awarded this distinction for 2016 - 2022.

In Maryland, paternity must be established either by admission or through the court. Paternity can be established either by 1) marital presumption; 2) a court order establishing the father as the legal father; or 3) by signing an Affidavit of Parentage at the time the child is born. An Affidavit of Parentage is a voluntary document that can be signed by the unmarried parents at the child’s birth. If the parents want to sign it at the hospital, the hospital staff will help them complete it free of charge. The parents can also take the form with them home, complete it and notarize it, and then ensure that the Maryland Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records receives it.

Establishing paternity is beneficial. It allows the father to be listed on the child’s birth certificate and it allows the child to have the benefit a father-child relationship. It also allows the child important benefits like, among other things, financial support, social security, veteran’s benefits, life insurance, and health insurance.

Genetic testing will be necessary if a parent wants a court order to establish paternity unless the father admits under oath (either in court or in a pleading) that he is the father. Conversely, if a parent wants to disestablish paternity, that will largely depend on how paternity was established in the first place. If you have any questions about establishing paternity, please contact us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to discuss your legal options with you.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence harms approximately one-third of women and twenty percent of children. Prevention takes everyone coming together to create change. In our family law practice, we have represented many victims of domestic violence. Many victims are afraid to seek help. In addition to seeking legal services to assist you in court, there are resources in your community that provide services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. If you need assistance, please call us at (443) 741-2567 and we will be able to provide to you guidance and legal assistance.