Family Law

Last summer, the Maryland Court of Appeals—the state’s highest court—decided that the state’s child pornography statute applies to a 16-year-old girl who texted a one-minute video of herself to her teenage best friends. In the video, she is seen performing a consensual sex act.

In his opinion, Judge Joseph M. Getty said that the court had to contend with this question: “Can a minor legally engaged in consensual sexual activity be his or her own pornographer through the act of sexting?”

In a 6–1 ruling, the judges decided that the answer was yes, despite considering the “complexities of the sociocultural phenomenon of sexting by minors.”

This is disturbing firstly, because a minor was engaged in this behavior, and secondly because, although she participated consensually, is now a child pornographer at the age of 16.

How do I handle visitation with my children during the pandemic?  I have court-ordered bi-weekly visitation, and my Ex is using the COVID-19 stay at home orders as a reason why I should not have visitation.

We are all trying to make adjustments to the “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Non-custodial parents with existing court orders have been finding it even more difficult.  

A court order has to be complied with by both parties, and a party that fails to do so could be held in contempt and risk a judge ordering a change in custody or losing tie-breaking authority.  Courts will always consider what is in the “best interest of the children,” when making a decision.

Robert Griffin III has been in the news lately for more than just football.  For the next few posts I'm going to talk about some of his mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Robert Griffin III has been in the news lately for more than just football. For the next few posts I'm going to talk about some of his mistakes and how you can avoid them. 

Robert Griffin III has been in the news lately for more than just football. For the next few posts I'm going to talk about some of his mistakes and how you can avoid them. 

Robert Griffin III has been in the news lately for more than just football. For the next few posts I'm going to talk about some of his mistakes and how you can avoid them. 

I’m sitting having a round table discussion with some women business owners for whom I have a lot of respect. This is what I have figured out. Ok so I know that it’s football season and some of you are on a serious “Fantasy Football” overload, but ….. Man you are missing it.

“Your Lack of Planning Does Not Constitute My Emergency.”
-Anonymous

We’ve heard the adage over and over that men and women are just different. I can tell you I have had female clients who get the process, trust me to have their best interests, and we have had a successful experience. But I have had female clients, who really concern me with their level of determination to make their “soon to be X” suffer at all costs. Now just to be clear, I don’t condone this latter behavior, and having done this for a minute, I can usually weed that type of personality out at the initial consultation, and will refuse to take their case. Uh oh you thought that lawyers are obligated to take your case when you walk through the door.