An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties are able to come to a written agreement on all issues in the divorce, including division of property, child custody, child support, spousal support, and attorneys’ fees. This type of divorce gives the parties autonomy over their issues and is usually faster, less expensive, and less stressful. A contested divorce occurs when parties are unable to agree on one or more key issues involved in the divorce process. These cases typically take upward of a year to go through the court process. A contested divorce can become costly and may be highly litigious and unpredictable. Sybblis Law can help guide you through both types of proceedings to ensure that your rights are protected. So whether you have an agreement with your spouse or you are in a situation where an agreement is highly unlikely, we will help you navigate the legal process while helping you maintain peace of mind.

In determining custody, the court is required to determine what is in the child’s best interest. In 2025, the Maryland legislature passed a law codifying the factors the Court is required to consider in determining both physical and legal custody. This law became effective as of October 1, 2025. So now the judge is required to examine the sixteen (16) factors outlined in the statute, Maryland Code Ann. Family Law 9-201(a), which includes, but is not limited to, assessing the stability and foreseeable health and welfare of the child, the parents' relationship with the child, and the child's developmental needs. At Sybblis Law Firm, we have the experience and the knowledge to help you navigate the complexities of the court process, which includes custody matters. Not only do we explain the process to you, but we develop a case strategy with you to help you get the best outcome. It is not just knowing how to recite the best interest factors that are important, but it is knowing how to present evidence to substantiate each factor that will set you apart in your custody case.

While you can file for divorce without an attorney, it is certainly not advisable to do so. Hiring a family law attorney ensures your rights and assets are protected—especially in situations involving children, shared property, or business ownership. A family law attorney is crucial to help navigate the court process, including meeting court-mandated deadlines and negotiating favorable settlements. At Sybblis Law Firm, we apply a client-centric approach to assisting our clients through the divorce process all while providing zealous advocacy to ensure they maintain their peace of mind.

Maryland uses a statutory formula known as the Maryland Child Support Guidelines to calculate child support. The calculation considers each parent’s income, each parent’s custodial time with the children, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other relevant financial factors. Sybblis Law Firm can help you through the process and provide guidance with understanding the numbers to ensure the calculation is accurate. Furthermore, the legislature made certain changes to the child support statute, which became effective in October 2025.

Yes. Custody, visitation, and support orders can be modified if there was a material change in circumstances impacting the welfare of the children—a material change in circumstances may be a change in income, relocation, shifts in a child’s needs, or bad behavior on the part of a co-parent. Sybblis Law assists clients with requesting, negotiating, and/or contesting modifications to protect the clients’ rights or time and relationship with the minor children.