Maryland Separation Agreements

Be Informed – Take Control – Secure Your Future

You don’t have to wait for a judge to decide everything

Many people in Maryland do not realize that they have the ability to decide key issues in their divorce, including how property is divided, whether one spouse will pay alimony, and how much time each parent will spend with the children. An experienced attorney at Jimeno & Gray can negotiate a separation agreement that settles all the important matters, from major issues to the smallest details.

When you work with your attorney to build a comprehensive separation agreement, you have the ability to creatively establish terms that meet your needs and the needs of your soon-to-be former spouse. For instance, you can create a parenting plan that fits your unique schedules. If you wait for a judge to decide matters, you may end up with terms that neither one of you find satisfactory.

Your attorney works with you throughout the process, informing you of your legal rights so that you develop terms that align with legal requirements. When you and your spouse agree to the final version, your attorney will submit it to the court for approval, and the terms will become part of your divorce decree.

You gain significant advantages by creating a separation agreement

For many reasons, it is in your best interests to have an attorney at Jimeno & Gray negotiate a separation agreement as early in the process as possible. A separation agreement can:

• Protect your interests. The terms become effective immediately upon signing. You don’t have to wait for the divorce to be final to ensure that your finances and parental rights are protected.
• Reduce your costs. When you negotiate terms out of court, the process is much less costly than when attorneys argue back and forth in front of a judge in court.
• Control the terms. Your attorney can negotiate to gain the objectives most important to you instead of leaving things up to chance.
• Reduce potential conflict. Negotiating in a conference room to reach mutually agreeable terms is a process with much less conflict than fighting to make the other partner look bad in court.
• Protect your privacy. When your attorney works with you to develop terms of your divorce in a conference room, you don’t have the details of your life displayed in public as you would if matters were to be settled by a judge in court.
• Cover all the details. A judge may not take time to cover details such as college obligations or future insurance contingencies. Your separation agreement can include all the details necessary for your future.

If you are unable to agree on all the terms, you can still execute an agreement covering the issues that you do agree on, which leaves fewer matters to be decided in court.

Solid legal guidance is crucial when developing a separation agreement

Since separation agreements are created out of court, some couples are tempted to use online forms to save money. This strategy can cost you considerably in the long run. The separation agreement is the most important aspect of your divorce, and you deserve to have top-notch legal assistance during the preparation process.

To begin with, when you work with a knowledgeable attorney at Jimeno & Gray, you gain a legal counselor who will help you understand your legal rights and will always be watching for ways to protect your rights and best interests. Your attorney will help you develop terms that meet legal guidelines so they will be approved by the court. Your legal advisor will also ensure that terms are not too vague or missing components that could lead to disagreements later.

The process of negotiating with an estranged spouse can be challenging. When your attorney takes the lead in the negotiation process, you avoid the potential of allowing emotions to interfere with getting the results you want. The attorneys at Jimeno & Gray are trained in negotiation skills, so they understand how to achieve your objectives with minimal conflict and delays.  

Work with the legal team that always supports your interests

The terms of your divorce will affect your life for years to come. It is crucial to establish the terms that are best for your future.

When you work with lawyers at Jimeno & Gray to develop a comprehensive separation agreement, you are taking the right steps to secure your interests now and in the days and years ahead. For a confidential consultation to learn how we can assist, schedule a call today.