The process starts with an initial consultation, where we’ll learn about your story and family dynamics, allowing you space to express your concerns and outline your goals for your future. This personalized approach allows us to tailor our representation to your specific needs and desires, rather than giving you a cookie-cutter approach of what ‘most clients do.’

We’ll also help guide you through Maryland’s divorce and family law where it applies to your situation, giving you options for your situation, and opportunities to ask additional questions.

One of the most important parts in any divorce case is organizing the relevant documentation and determining what the appropriate next steps are for your situation in how the two of you will get divorced. We’ll provide you with a checklist of documentation to gather, whether it’s personal documents, financial records, or evidence of abuse or neglect. Whether it is through collaborative divorce principles and mediation, or litigation and court proceedings, Emily Shank at Shank Law can help you through the entirety of the process from start to finish, all with a local perspective and a compassionate, guiding hand.

A good divorce attorney is not only there for the legal responsibilities and representation, but also to help you through the process emotionally. While your attorney cannot take the place of a therapist or other mental health professional, they can guide you through the legal process with intentional support.

Your divorce attorney should help you through the legal proceedings and litigation process, guiding you through what documentation you should gather and what kind of evidence you need for your case. Every case has unique circumstances and dynamics, which is why you need a legal team that can work flexibly with the situation and get to know you and your family first.

When you hire a divorce attorney, you should also expect them to represent you in court if necessary, as well as negotiate a fair settlement for your situation. If you have children, they may also provide you with legal advice on child custody.

Divorce cases are never easy even when they are amicable and low-intensity mediation cases; seeing these cases and how families could be better supported both emotionally and legally throughout the process is exactly why Emily Shank, with Shank Law, is dedicated to family law services in the Maryland area.

At the end of the process, once you’ve come to an agreement on the separation, asset distribution, and child custody, your divorce attorney should also help you file for the divorce, ensuring the paperwork is correct and that it will be accepted into the court of law as a valid and binding document.

Understanding the Different Types of Divorce Attorneys

When you are seeking representation in a divorce case, you should know that not every divorce lawyer is the same. Some take a collaborative approach, focusing on negotiations and mediation that can reach settlements on amicable terms between the two parties. Others are best known for their litigation tactics and strategies, which can be helpful when the case is certain to go to court.

Some lawyers have extensive experience in custody disputes, which is important if you and your partner have children together. Regardless of whether you want to co-parent in the future, or are looking to gain full custody of the children, custody battles can be complex and difficult to navigate for both parties, especially when they involve the children’s desires, or suspected abuse or emotional manipulation of the children.

At Shank Law, we combine our comprehensive experience in family law across Maryland to work on your individual case, whether there are high-value assets to divide, custody law to navigate, or complex family dynamics to consider. We ensure that you’ll have expert guidance every step of the way, handling your case with care and compassion that we would want in our own family matters. From collaborative divorce to strategic legal representation, we can help you in every aspect of family law cases.

What You Need to Know Before Meeting with a Lawyer

Before you first meet with a lawyer, you should be prepared with any documentation that you have available and begin considering the goals that you have as a part of the divorce.

Gather important financial documents that you two share, including tax returns, bank statements, and any records of your assets and debts. This helps create a clear picture of your shared financial situation and can help your attorney provide accurate and more concise information.

Knowing your goals is an important part of the process. Even if you aren’t entirely certain on the outcome you’d like, taking time to consider the process and understand what you want out of the divorce can help you tailor your questions during the initial consultation.

Questions Your Lawyer Will Ask You

When you meet with your lawyer for the first time, you’ll have a lot of questions to ask them, but you’ll also be answering a lot of questions as they try to better understand your family dynamics and the situation. These questions could affect their comfort in, or ability to represent you as a lawyer, as they consider the different aspects of Maryland family law as well.

You’ll be asked a lot of questions that feel personal or private, because of the nature of the representation. Looking at the situation from a broad perspective, you’ll be asked about the date of your marriage, the date of separation, the reason for divorce, and the kind of relationship you and your partner had leading up to the divorce.

Your lawyer will also ask a lot of logistical questions about finances, any assets that the two of you have, both separately and together, as well as your living situation and any children or pets that you might have together. If you have moved out of the home, the lawyer will also want to learn more about this situation, such as what led to the move and how long you’ve been living outside of the family home.

You may also be asked more in-depth questions about any instances of domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, or other areas that can significantly impact your case.

If the two of you have children, you’ll receive questions about their ages, current living arrangements, formal or informal custody agreements you might have with your partner, as well as what your goals are in custody arrangements in the future. Your individual parenting styles and histories will also be discussed.

The more prepared you are to answer these questions, the better your lawyer will be able to represent you and your best interest in any negotiation or legal proceedings.

How Do You Protect Yourself Before Divorce?

Before divorce, there are several ways that you can protect yourself.

The biggest thing that you can do to protect yourself logistically is to pay down any mutual debts the two of you share and cancel any joint credit cards. Creating an individual bank account in your own name and having your own individual credit card can help you as you go through the divorce process, but the most important aspect is to keep yourself from incurring more debts if at all possible.

Emotionally, you should begin seeing an individual therapist to help you work through the intense emotions that come with divorce. No matter how amicable it can feel at baseline, it can be an emotionally tumultuous time that makes it important to find an outlet for yourself. Having the added support of a therapist never hurts and almost always is a benefit.

If you don’t have a job, you will want to start job searching as well. Job searching, as well as looking for a place of your own to live long-term, can help you ease into living alone.

Finding a Good Divorce Attorney in Maryland

Finding a good divorce attorney in Maryland can feel daunting, but with a little due diligence, you’ll find the right lawyer in no time.

Consider your goals in the divorce and the type of relationship that you have with your partner currently. Consider the kind of relationship you want to have with your lawyer. If you are looking for an ‘attack dog’ – that is going to be a different person than if you want someone who will give guidance and counsel.

You’ll also want to check the lawyer’s credentials. Do they practice family law exclusively? How long have they been in practice? Do they handle complex cases? Do they have certifications or training that make them more knowledgeable? Finding a good divorce attorney in Maryland doesn’t have to be difficult.

Afterwards, you can reach out and, if the lawyer is taking clients at the time, you’ll be able to discuss the situation in an initial consultation where they’ll ask you questions, and you’ll have a chance to express your concerns. If it’s a good fit, you’ll be able to discuss the hiring process and move forward with the divorce proceedings with competent legal representation on your side.

Shank Law: Divorce Attorneys and Family Law

When you’re looking for a capable divorce attorney that has your family’s best interest in mind, you’ll find that Emily Shank of Shank Law is experienced in a wide range of family matters including divorce.

Maryland’s family law can become complex fairly quickly, which is why it’s important to seek competent legal representation. At Shank Law, you’ll find a range of experience in family law and divorce mediation, collaborative divorce, or divorce litigation. From amicable separations to high-conflict disputes, Emily Shank displays a deep understanding of Maryland’s divorce laws and ensures that you’ll have a knowledgeable representative by your side to help you and your family through the process.

Every divorce is unique, and we take time to understand the intricacies of your family dynamics and understand your goals, developing a tailored strategy that addresses your individual needs, while supporting and guiding you through the difficult emotional aspects of the legal decision as well.