Frederick Maryland Legal Blog

Can a divorce be fair if one party has a lot of family money?

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC on Friday, July 27, 2018.

When spouses divorce in an equitable distribution state such as Maryland, their assets (and debts) should be divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Of course, many divorce cases never go to trial, and the spouses work out an agreement between themselves.

However, the spouses may be from different financial backgrounds, and it can be a shock for one spouse to realize that he or she faces a different standard of living after divorce. Can a divorce really be fair when one party has a lot of family money but the other does not?

How a mechanic’s lien is interpreted under Virginia Law

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC on Monday, July 9, 2018.

The modern form of a mechanic’s lien can be traced to Thomas Jefferson, who used the concept in promoting the construction of Washington, the new capital city of our young republic.

Today, the Supreme Court of Virginia, like other such courts in other states, maintains and updates the law concerning liens such as this one that seeks to protect the interests of contractors.

Steps when a drunk driver hits your car

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

You will naturally go through a lot of emotions when another driver hits your car. You will likely feel even more upset when you discover the other driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Maryland has strict laws for drunk drivers, even if they are first offenders, so you should not hesitate to contact the police.

As much as the other driver may plead, you always want to contact the police to get an official report of the auto accident on record. Additionally, you may have sustained injuries from the collision, and a police report will help with your insurance claim. Here are the other steps to take following this incident:

Avoiding common mistakes after a car accident

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

It is not uncommon to feel confused and overwhelmed after an auto accident. It can be hard to keep your head on straight, not to mention make wise decisions that can protect your case and keep you from a false accusation of liability. You and other Maryland residents should understand what may either complicate your case or help it go more smoothly.

According to HowStuffWorks, doing the following immediately after an accident may hinder your personal injury case, rather than help it:

Reacting in anger and losing your temper, rather than calmly speaking to authorities and the others involved
Refusing to call law enforcement
Leaving the scene of the accident, which can be considered a crime
Apologizing, which may seem polite but could sound like an admission of guilt
Speaking with the other driver’s attorney or insurance company
Accepting the other insurer’s offer without talking to your insurance company or attorney first

Debunking 4 common myths of car accidents

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in blog on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Dangerous car accidents occur all the time in Maryland. Take the case of a crash involving three vehicles on April 8th that resulted in the hospitalization of five people.

Sometimes, crashes would have fewer long-term consequences if the drivers involved knew exactly what to do. Unfortunately, many myths persist regarding traffic collisions, and one mistake can greatly affect the amount of money someone receives from the insurance company.

Dividing retirement accounts during divorce

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Division of assets is one of the most argued elements of divorce. Whether a couple was married for two years or 20, property adds up fast and it doesn’t split neatly down the middle.

Maryland is an equitable distribution state, meaning the property a couple acquires during marriage will be split in divorce fairly, though not necessarily a perfect 50-50. While there is such a thing as separate property, which is owed by just one of the parties, there are usually special considerations for this.

Five Myths about Fathers' Rights in Maryland

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in divorce on Friday, February 2, 2018.

For fathers considering a divorce, myths about fathers' rights can make a divorce seem like a daunting prospect. Luckily, we're living in a time where divorce court proceedings are more fairly weighted between fathers and mothers.

Should spouses who are divorcing file for bankruptcy together?

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in blog on Friday, January 26, 2018.

No one anticipates that their marriage will result in a divorce, just as no one anticipates that their financial life will result in bankruptcy. Going through a divorce or declaring bankruptcy are stressful enough on their own, but what if both are happening at the same time? For some people, divorce and bankruptcy will go hand in hand.

People who declare bankruptcy around the same time as they get divorced often find that declaring bankruptcy with their partner can have its advantages. Even if you and your spouse are eager to split as quickly as possible, you may find many benefits to declaring bankruptcy jointly.

Do you have overwhelming debt? Consider bankruptcy

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in blog on Friday, January 26, 2018.

Choosing to file bankruptcy is not an easy decision, but if you are struggling to pay back significant credit card debt it may be the right option for you.

While personal bankruptcy is often stigmatized, no one plans to go bankrupt. Often a life event significantly reduces income or increases bills, leading to a precarious financial situation. The three most common reasons for filing bankruptcy are divorce, medical bills and unemployment. If you are overburdened by debt, bankruptcy could provide you with much needed debt relief.

5 common mistakes in high asset divorces

On behalf of Wampler & Souder, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

For divorcing couples with significant assets, division of property is one of the biggest hurdles they face. In Maryland, assets are distributed equally during a divorce. This means the court systems do not have to divide the assets between the spouses equally so long as the distribution is fair. Judges consider the length of the marriage, what each spouse contributed to the marriage and the economic circumstances of each spouse when dividing assets.