2024
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Our Recommended Top 21
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Baltimore Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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Featured Provider
(56)Why choose this provider?
James E. Crawford Jr. & Associates is a general practice firm providing compassionate representation to Baltimore residents. It offers legal advice and guidance to individuals and families dealing with family-related matters, such as divorce, paternity actions, and child support. The firm also operates a blog that discusses how property distribution affects a divorce case, making child support payments online, and how children recover from parental alienation. James E. Crawford Jr., the firm's founding partner, won the Top Lawyers in Maryland Award from The Legal Network in 2013.
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley Stryker - Media Director | active | 55 yrs |
| Zachery Groves - Partner | Active | 19 yrs |
| James Crawford - Principal | Active | 31 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
Need help contacting a Family Lawyer in Baltimore? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.
Why choose this provider?
Andrea K. Sugar, P.A. is a law firm that provides personalized legal solutions to clients in Baltimore. The firm's founder and attorney, Andrea K. Sugar, has been helping individuals and families with child support, custody, name change, and guardianship matters since 2001. She can also assist clients through the rigorous process of divorce. As an experienced litigator, Sugar is prepared to fight for her clients' rights and interests in court in case disputes arise. Sugar is a member of the Simon Sobeloff Legal Society.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Domestic Violence
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Andrea Sugar - Principal | Active | 33 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.7 (38)
Why choose this provider?
Founded in 2017, The Law Office of Kelley Spigel in Glen Burnie assists clients throughout Maryland with family law matters. The firm handles prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, peace and protective orders, and all aspects of marriage dissolution, including alimony, spousal support, and division of property. When children are involved, Spigel and her team of detailed domestic/family lawyers near Baltimore help parties make difficult decisions regarding child custody, visitations, and support while protecting father's rights. Attorney Spigel appears on Super Lawyers' Rising Star list.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kelley Spigel - Owner | Active | 12 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Law Offices of Corrie A. Boulay provides family law service in metro Baltimore. The multi-attorney firm assists clients with children's rights, child support, divorce, and child custody and visitation. Additionally, it handles appeals, military family law, alimony, and alternative dispute resolution. Founding attorney Corrie A. Boulay, Esq. has more than 20 years of legal experience. She is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and practices collaborative law.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Corrie Boulay - Principal | Active | 26 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado in metro Baltimore concentrates on family law legal services. The multi-attorney team assists individuals with marital property valuations, separation agreements, spousal support, prenuptial agreements, and annulments. Additionally, it provides child support and custody legal representation. Founding attorney Sandra Guzman-Salvado, Esq. is a member of the Family Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association and the Women's Bar Association of Maryland. She also practices bankruptcy law.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Sandra Guzman - Principal | Active | 20 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Founded in 1995, Weinberg & Schwartz LLC in metro Baltimore concentrates its practice on divorce and family law services. The multi-attorney team handles issues pertaining to alimony, property division, modification and contempt proceedings, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. It also provides legal representation in child custody and child support matters. Partner Jolie Gelman Weinberg is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association: ADR Section Council and the Howard County Bar Association: Family Law Section.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Jolie Weinberg - Partner | Active | 34 yrs |
| Amos Whitney - Partner | Active | 15 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Cynthia H. Clark & Associates LLC is a family law and divorce firm based in Annapolis that represents clients in the Baltimore area. Attorneys help clients navigate difficult separation agreements and divorces, including those involving child support, child custody and visitation, alimony, relocation, asset division, and post-divorce modifications. The topnotch family lawyers near Baltimore also assist with grandparents' rights and paternity issues. The boutique firm, which has experience with adoptions and guardianships, also practices military family law.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Clark - Founder and Principal | Active | 26 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
Esteemed among family lawyers in Baltimore, Schlachman, Belsky & Weiner PA assists clients with difficult divorce and custody proceedings. The firm discusses the long-term consequences of available choices to help individuals organize their priorities. It handles cases involving marital separation, child support, property division, alimony, guardianship, and relative adoption. The firm's attorneys work with clients to navigate legal obstacles and file complex paperwork. Other areas practiced by Schlachman, Belsky & Weiner include sexual assault litigation and workers' compensation law.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Greene - Partner | Active | 43 yrs |
| Michael Davey - Partner | Active | 26 yrs |
| Shaun Owens - Partner | Active | 17 yrs |
| Chaz Ball - Partner | Active | 13 yrs |
| Michael Belsky - Partner | Active | 29 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
With an office in Baltimore, Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group represents clients across the local area. It works on family law cases and counsels individuals on issues like child custody, alimony, and child support. The firm has experience advocating for clients in contested and uncontested divorce proceedings. It also deals with other legal areas, including personal injury and criminal defense law. One of the firm's attorneys, John Turnbull III, is the former chairman of the Pro Bono Committee under the Baltimore County Bar Association.
- Child Custody
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| John Turnbull - Partner | Active | 25 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Law Offices of Kerri Cohen offers services for a wide range of sensitive and complex legal matters in Baltimore. Its lawyers represent clients in divorce or legal separation matters, adoption processes, and establishing paternity. With more than 20 years of experience, the law firm guides families in guardianships, child support enforcement, and custody and visitation issues. Its focus on family law led the business to achieve the Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2019.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Adoption
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kerri Cohen - Principal | Active | 23 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Family Legal Advocacy Group LLC in Columbia focuses on family law. Since 2013, the firm has worked with clients in custody disputes, child support, divorce, and alimony cases. It works to ensure clients' rights are protected, and supports the well-being of each family with a non-adversarial, child-centered approach. Resolution outside the court system is strived for whenever feasible. Revered among domestic/family lawyers near Baltimore, attorneys Sarah Novak Nesbitt and Sara Schwartzman extend their skills as former teachers in advocating for children and working with families.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Katz - Managing Partner | Active | 26 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
Jacobson Family Law helps Baltimore clients settle family law disputes inside and outside of court. Founder Cary Jacobson is familiar with the toll that divorce, child custody matters, and property division conflicts bring on children and parents alike. She strives to help clients with alternative dispute resolutions that are geared towards successful co-parenting agreements. She has been serving clients for over a decade. She is also actively involved in the legal community through projects like the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence.
- Divorce
- Postnuptial Agreements
- Prenuptial Agreements
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Cary Jacobson - Founder and Managing Partner | Active | 14 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.6 (16)
Why choose this provider?
Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. is a law firm that serves clients in Baltimore and its surrounding areas. The legal office deals with a wide range of family law cases. Since 1998, it has been focusing on all areas of divorce and separation, such as alimony, mediation, and property division. The firm handles parenting coordination and children's representation. Additionally, it guides parents in dealing with custody and visitation proceedings, which are typically high-stress situations.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Alimony
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Nicholson - Partner | Active | 42 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Voss Law, LLC is a law firm with years of experience handling family law. It assists clients with divorce, including related matters such as property settlements, child custody litigation, domestic abuse, and adoption. Founding attorney Ron Voss also addresses criminal and civil litigation cases. He has been helping the judicial system improve the statutory guidelines regarding children's legal representation. His firm serves clients in the Baltimore area and nearby counties.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Voss - Principal | Active | 20 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Alan L. Billian P.A. offers solutions to the legal needs of clients in Baltimore and its neighboring metros. Its primary attorney Alan Billian has been in the legal field for over 27 years and has focused his practice on domestic and family law. His services cover divorce, child custody and support, grandparents' rights, and visitation agreements. He also helps clients file protective orders and prepare documents for prenuptial agreements. His practice also handles estate planning, personal injury, criminal law, and business documents.
- Domestic Violence
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Billian - Principal | Active | 33 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
The Law Office of Garland C. Hall is a firm that has been serving Baltimore and surrounding communities for over 13 years. It provides legal representation in a wide range of family law cases including move-aways, modifications, legal separation, visitation rights, and restraining orders. One of its practitioners, Garland Hall, assists clients in negotiating with the opposing counsel and litigating cases. He worked as the first African American judicial law clerk for the Honorable O. Robert Lidums in Cecil County Circuit Court.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Postnuptial Agreements
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Garland Hall - Principal | Active | 17 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Alice G. Pinderhughes, P.A. Attorney at Law, offers legal representation to clients in the Baltimore area. The firm assists clients with legal needs that involve family law and divorce, real estate, and estate planning. Its primary attorney, Alice Pinderhughes, handles family law services involving child custody and support. She also helps clients prepare the legal documents for pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Pinderhughes utilizes her 39 years of industry experience to help clients obtain their desired results.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Pinderhughes - Principal | Active | 47 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Stuart C. Axilbund, Attorney at Law, serves clients in the Baltimore metro and surrounding areas. It practices divorce and legal separation, including matters on alimony, child support, division of marital property, and high-asset divorce. It also guides clients in marital settlement and pre and post-nuptial agreements. Other practice areas of the firm include custody and visitation and stepparent adoptions. Its attorney, Stuart C. Axilbund, is a State Bar Association member.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Alimony
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart Axilbund - Principal | Active | 34 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
A. David Zerivitz Attorney At Law is a firm that has been serving the Baltimore community since 1974. It provides legal counsel and representation in family law issues such as alimony, child custody, domestic violence, marital settlement agreements, and division of marital property. Its practitioner, David Zerivitz, conducts consultations while taking into consideration the sensitivity of such matters. He serves as a family law committee member of the Bar Association of Maryland and the Bar Association of Baltimore County.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| David Zerivitz - Principal | Active | 50 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Maslan, Maslan, & Rothwell, P.A. has been providing legal services for individuals, families, and businesses in and around Baltimore since 1959. One of its focuses is family law, including child custody and marital issues. Other practice areas include personal injury, criminal law, immigration, real estate transactions, wills and estates, and workers' compensation. Taking over after the deaths of Michael Maslan and Ralph Rothwell, Gary Maslan continues to provide for a diverse community, upholding the history, heritage, excellence, and empathy that the firm became known for.
- Divorce
- Child Custody
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Maslan - Principal | Active | 50 yrs |
Compare our Top Family Lawyers
| Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James E Crawford Jr. & Associates | 999 Corporate Blvd Suite 100, Linthicum Heights, MD21090 | Free consultation | View More | |
| Andrea K. Sugar, P.A. | 502 Washington Avenue Suite 102, Towson, MD21204 | View More | ||
| Law Office of Kelley Spigel | 7310 Ritchie Hwy Ste 401, Glen Burnie, MD21061 | View More | ||
| Law Offices of Corrie A. Boulay | 7 King Charles Pl, Annapolis, MD21401 | View More | ||
| The Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado | 1997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy Ste 300, Annapolis, MD21401 | View More | ||
| Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. | 2000 Century Plaza, Suite 446 10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD21044 | View More | ||
| Cynthia H. Clark & Associates, LLC | 129 Lubrano Dr Ste 202, Annapolis, MD21401 | View More | ||
| Schlachman, Belsky & Weiner, P.A. | 300 E Lombard St Ste 1100, Baltimore, MD21202 | View More | ||
| Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group | 532 St Paul St., Baltimore, MD21202 | View More | ||
| The Law Offices of Kerri Cohen | 4519 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD21224 | View More | ||
| Family Legal Advocacy Group, LLC | 9256 Bendix Rd Ste 307, Columbia, MD21045 | View More | ||
| Jacobson Family Law | 5850 Waterloo Road Suite 140, Columbia, MD21045 | View More | ||
| Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. | 210 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 420, Towson, MD21204 | View More | ||
| Voss Law, LLC | 2913 O'Donnell Street Suite 220, Baltimore, MD21224 | View More | ||
| Alan L. Billian P.A. | 8890 McDonough Road Suite 201, Owings Mills, MD21117 | View More | ||
| The Law Office of Garland C. Hall | 7420 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie, MD21061 | View More | ||
| Alice G. Pinderhughes, P.A. Attorney at Law | 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1600, Baltimore, MD21201 | View More | ||
| Stuart C. Axilbund Attorney at Law | 100 West Road Suite 300, Towson, MD21204 | View More | ||
| A. David Zerivitz Attorney At Law | 100 Church Lane, Pikesville, MD21208 | View More | ||
| Maslan, Maslan, & Rothwell, P.A. | 7508 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD21224 | View More |
FAQs
What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?
Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.
Is family court different from district court?
In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.
How long do custody cases last in family court?
The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circ*mstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circ*mstances.
Why is there no jury in family court?
There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circ*mstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.
What legal evidence is required to prove domestic abuse?
First and foremost, if you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse, immediate help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for safe, confidential, personal help and resources, by phone or text. From a legal perspective, abuse cases are very serious matters and usually require evidence to proceed. Due to the he-said-she-said nature of these cases, many attorneys require some form of proof, which may include:
Pictures of the physical abuse, including cuts, bruises, or destroyed property
Medical reports of injuries
Police reports
Witnesses who have seen some or all of the altercations and can validate the claim
Unfortunately, obtaining this kind of evidence isn’t always easy. Many domestic violence cases happen in the home without witnesses, and physical evidence may either be absent or temporary. Victims of domestic abuse are encouraged to collect as much evidence as possible, and, as noted above, to seek safety and protection as soon as possible.
What are the most common cases in family court?
Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:
- Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
- Child custody and the determination of paternity
- Domestic violence protection orders
- Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
- Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
- Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
- Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
- Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
- Approval of underage marriages
Do family lawyers handle mediation?
Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.
What is family law?
Family law is an area of legal practice that places a special focus on issues concerning families. Common areas of family law include separation of assets and potential alimony arrangements during a divorce, child custody and child support mediation between estranged or divorced parents, paternity cases, and matters of adoption. Family lawyers not only oversee mediation during disputes over things like child support and custody arrangements, but they also represent parties' interests when family matters are dealt with in court.
What is a custodial parent?
When two parents do not live together with a child, one will be named as the custodial parent. The designated parent—or other guardian if both biological parents are deemed unfit—will have precedence in any legal decisions made concerning the child's life, including education and other matters of the child's welfare. The other parent is referred to as the noncustodial parent.
What is sole custody?
When a child lives with one parent full time after a divorce or a legal separation, that parent has sole custody. This parent will be fully responsible for providing basic necessities for the child's well-being, including food, shelter, and clothing. The alternative is joint custody, in which both parents share physical custody of the child, based on a predetermined legal arrangement.
While they may sound the same, sole custody is not identical to full custody. In full custody, the noncustodial parent may have visitation rights, while in sole custody, they do not. A court would rule that a parent has sole custody rather than full custody when only one parent is deemed fit to act in the best interests of the child.
What is joint custody?
Joint custody is a preset arrangement that occurs after a marriage is dissolved. In joint custody, a child lives with their custodial parent for certain days or weeks and their noncustodial parent for the remainder. The custody arrangement may be decided in a hearing, but if two parents come up with a suitable agreement on their own, the court will likely accept it.
What makes a good family lawyer?
There are a number of characteristics to look for in a good family lawyer. The first is experience. An experienced family law attorney will understand the right steps to take to come to an equitable resolution that reflects the best interests of the family, often without going to court. The ability to communicate and act as an intermediary between parties in a dispute is important, whether it concerns a divorce, custody, paternity, or something else. Family legal disputes can be stressful to manage, especially when mediation and finding a common ground is involved. A good family lawyer is also available as a resource to help their client navigate a difficult situation in a way that won't harm their chances for a positive resolution.
How can a mother lose custody of her child?
A mother could lose custody of her child if she's deemed unfit to provide or take proper care of them. This decision often comes as a result of the mother being unable to provide a safe home or take care of a child's basic needs. It can also come from a mother abusing the child or neglecting them, abusing drugs and alcohol, or frequently being arrested.
In any of these cases, the state can revoke custody from the mother, citing details learned through home visits, interviews, court records, and a variety of other sources as the reasons. In this case, sole custody would be given to the other parent, if he/she is able.
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