Family Law Attorney Serving Towson, MD
Family law handles interpersonal family matters within our court system. This may include pre-marital agreements, divorce, custody disputes (including paternity), child support, adoption, or domestic violence protection.
To ensure your best interests are protected in any family logistics situation, you should consult with someone experienced in the practice of family law.
Emily Shank is an experienced litigator, mediator, and court appointed settlement officer who practices family law exclusively. She can help guide you through the process with compassion, candid analysis, and fierce advocacy.
What Does a Family Law Attorney Help With?
When facing any kind of legal problems in family law, the complexity of the cases and considerations of the court can be overwhelming, and it’s important to have a family law attorney on your side to explain the intricacies of the case and represent your best interests.
As families change and dynamics evolve, legal needs can also change. Whether you’re looking for establishment of new documents, or a modification to existing agreements, a family law attorney can help ensure your documentation is submitted correctly and will be recognized by a court of law as a binding document between the individuals involved.
Divorce and Separation
Divorce and separation can be difficult decisions to make, and untangling the results of building a life together is even more complex. Hiring a family law attorney can help you untangle the complex situation while navigating the law and protecting your best interests.
Child Support and Custody
When children are involved, emotions can run particularly high. The Court considers the best interests of the child(ren) in determining an appropriate custody schedule and order for child support. As a court-appointed child’s attorney, Emily is very experienced in navigating custody disputes.
Property Division
Property division or division of other physical assets can be a difficult and complex space to navigate legally. Clients are often surprised that “martial property” is not as clean cut as they expected. An experienced family law attorney is incredibly helpful in navigating these matters, particularly in circumstances of high net worth, or business ownership.
Pre-Marital Agreements
A pre-marital agreement is a legally binding contract that two people sign before getting married of how the assets, debts, and spousal support is expected to handled, in the event of divorce. The purpose of this agreement is to protect both parties’ interests during and after the marriage, particularly important for those with high net worth, second marriages, or LGBTQIA+ or non-traditional families.
Adoptions
Filing adoption paperwork can be confusing and it’s important for you and your partner to have the best possible chance at the documentation getting accepted with as little time and stress involved as possible. For streamlined adoption paperwork and helping you navigate the complex laws around adoption, give us call today.
Shank Law: LGBTQIA+ Friendly
At Shank Law, we are proud to consider ourselves allied with the LGBTQIA+ community. Cases with ‘non-traditional’ factors can require a unique analysis to prevail in settlement or court. Emily Shank is experienced assisting clients navigate such cases while being sensitive to the unique joys and struggles of ‘non-traditional’ families.
When Do You Need a Family Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to consult with a family lawyer before signing a legally binding document such as a pre-marital agreement. It is also a good idea to have a family lawyer assist you in negotiating or litigating any family law matter. You don’t know what you don’t know. But a family lawyer does.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Family Lawyer
Before hiring a family lawyer, you should first consider whether the lawyer has a specialization. If that specialization lines up with your goals in the case, you can proceed with their services and book a consultation.
You should also discuss fees and billing with the lawyer, to set expectations and ensure that you can make any necessary arrangements based on the financial arrangements. You’ll also want to consider the protection of your legal rights and ask how they plan to do that once you’ve laid out the details of the situation and have begun building a case.
It’s important to also be prepared for any questions about finances or assets held in mutual interests, as having these details handy can help the lawyer get a better understanding of the situation and what may be included in the scope of the mediation of your case.
What Questions Should You Ask Your Attorney?
Ask about the attorney’s experience, approach, and who will handle your case. Discuss concerns, expected outcomes, and trial experience. Your conversations are confidential, so be open and thorough.
Maryland’s Top Family Law Attorney: Shank Law
At Shank Law, we help families move forward with their lives, helping you create a future that is in your best interest. Whether you’re looking for help in LGBTQIA+ matters, protective orders, adoptions, child support, divorce, custody, or other aspects of family law, you can rely on Shank Law to provide the support you’re looking for.
Emily Shank is an experienced family law attorney. She is a certified mediator, trained in Collaborative divorce, court- appointed settlement officer, court-appointed children’s attorney, and experienced litigator. Give us a call today to see how we can help you advocate for your case.
Emily Shank is an experienced family law attorney. She is a certified mediator, trained in Collaborative divorce, court- appointed settlement officer, court-appointed children’s attorney, and experienced litigator. Give us a call today to see how we can help you advocate for your case.
What Does a Family Law Attorney Help With?
When facing any kind of legal problems in family law, the complexity of the cases and considerations of the court can be overwhelming, and it’s important to have a family law attorney on your side to explain the intricacies of the case and represent your best interests.
As families change and dynamics evolve, legal needs can also change. Whether you’re looking for establishment of new documents, or a modification to existing agreements, a family law attorney can help ensure your documentation is submitted correctly and will be recognized by a court of law as a binding document between the individuals involved.
Divorce and Separation
Divorce and separation can be difficult decisions to make, and untangling the results of building a life together is even more complex. Hiring a family law attorney can help you untangle the complex situation while navigating the law and protecting your best interests.
Child Support and Custody
When children are involved, emotions can run particularly high. The Court considers the best interests of the child(ren) in determining an appropriate custody schedule and order for child support. As a court-appointed child’s attorney, Emily is very experienced in navigating custody disputes.
Property Division
Property division or division of other physical assets can be a difficult and complex space to navigate legally. Clients are often surprised that “martial property” is not as clean cut as they expected. An experienced family law attorney is incredibly helpful in navigating these matters, particularly in circumstances of high net worth, or business ownership.
Pre-Marital Agreements
A pre-marital agreement is a legally binding contract that two people sign before getting married of how the assets, debts, and spousal support is expected to handled, in the event of divorce. The purpose of this agreement is to protect both parties’ interests during and after the marriage, particularly important for those with high net worth, second marriages, or LGBTQIA+ or non-traditional families.
Adoptions
Filing adoption paperwork can be confusing and it’s important for you and your partner to have the best possible chance at the documentation getting accepted with as little time and stress involved as possible. For streamlined adoption paperwork and helping you navigate the complex laws around adoption, give us call today.
Shank Law: LGBTQIA+ Friendly
At Shank Law, we are proud to consider ourselves allied with the LGBTQIA+ community. Cases with ‘non-traditional’ factors can require a unique analysis to prevail in settlement or court. Emily Shank is experienced assisting clients navigate such cases while being sensitive to the unique joys and struggles of ‘non-traditional’ families.
When Do You Need a Family Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to consult with a family lawyer before signing a legally binding document such as a pre-marital agreement. It is also a good idea to have a family lawyer assist you in negotiating or litigating any family law matter. You don’t know what you don’t know. But a family lawyer does.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Family Lawyer
Before hiring a family lawyer, you should first consider whether the lawyer has a specialization. If that specialization lines up with your goals in the case, you can proceed with their services and book a consultation.
You should also discuss fees and billing with the lawyer, to set expectations and ensure that you can make any necessary arrangements based on the financial arrangements. You’ll also want to consider the protection of your legal rights and ask how they plan to do that once you’ve laid out the details of the situation and have begun building a case.
It’s important to also be prepared for any questions about finances or assets held in mutual interests, as having these details handy can help the lawyer get a better understanding of the situation and what may be included in the scope of the mediation of your case.
What Questions Should You Ask Your Attorney?
Ask about the attorney’s experience, approach, and who will handle your case. Discuss concerns, expected outcomes, and trial experience. Your conversations are confidential, so be open and thorough.
Maryland’s Top Family Law Attorney: Shank Law
At Shank Law, we help families move forward with their lives, helping you create a future that is in your best interest. Whether you’re looking for help in LGBTQIA+ matters, protective orders, adoptions, child support, divorce, custody, or other aspects of family law, you can rely on Shank Law to provide the support you’re looking for.
Emily Shank is an experienced family law attorney. She is a certified mediator, trained in Collaborative divorce, court- appointed settlement officer, court-appointed children’s attorney, and experienced litigator. Give us a call today to see how we can help you advocate for your case.
Meet Emily Shank
Meet Emily Shank
Emily is a family law attorney experienced in a wide scope of matters and has been recognized by the Daily Records for their Leading Women Award (2019), Carroll County’s Family Law Clinic Volunteer of the Year (2019), served on the Court of Appeals Standing Committee for Pro Bono Services (2021-2022), and has been recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Meet Emily Shank
Emily is a family law attorney experienced in a wide scope of matters and has been recognized by the Daily Records for their Leading Women Award (2019), Carroll County’s Family Law Clinic Volunteer of the Year (2019), served on the Court of Appeals Standing Committee for Pro Bono Services (2021-2022), and has been recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
What Clients Are Saying About Emily Shank
“Emily Shank is an amazing attorney that will fight every step of the way for her client. She really listens to your concerns and explains exactly what’s going on so that you understand the process as it’s occurring! I am so thankful that I found her! She made me feel like I had someone in my corner who was going to do what was in my best interest, I trusted her to never steer me wrong or to tell me to do anything I was uncomfortable with just to shorten my case! She is awesome! Thank you so much Emily!” -J.B.
“I have hired a few attorneys for my daughter, before Emily. Without putting out to much details about our personal life, No one treated my daughter the with the kindness and concern that Emily did. We are very thankful to have found her. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. At last the fight is over and my daughter is where she belongs. I can’t thank you enough Emily.” -C.B.
“Emily has been my lawyer for several years and has handled various issues that have arisen from my divorce. She is always courteous, professional and extremely competent. In a recent matter that I had to take to court, it was Emily’s extensive preparation and knowledge of the law that convinced the opposing side to concede before we even went before the judge. Emily is a compassionate person who always puts my mind at ease when I call with questions and concerns. However, she doesn’t allow emotion to get in the way of making clear and reasonable decisions that result in the best outcome for everyone involved.” -K.M.
“Emily was able to make this whole process less painful. I felt well-informed each step of the way. It was clearly communicated what was expected of me and what my choices were as we moved through the process. I truly felt like she had my back.” -S.B.
“Emily is fantastic. She is efficient, helpful, and responsive. Highly recommend!” -C.M.
“Emily is great, this is actually the 2nd time I have used her, Was referred to her originally as my previous attorney heads towards retirement. Both times a positive outcome. The first time she was not out on her own yet, now she is. She has a lot of charm and Integrity. I can be a pain of a client and she was still wonderful to work with. To all that read she is excellent to work with and does an amazing job. Do yourself a favor and choose her to work with.” -R.S.
