Summer is underway! We are excited for good times with family and friends and beautiful weather.

We wish everyone a healthy and happy Summer!

_{— Sandy and Cheryl}

Who will pay for private school after we are divorced?

By Sandy Brooks

The answer is… it depends. Isn’t that a lawyers answer to everything?

In an ideal world, the parties agree on where their child will go to school, and they have endless funds to cover the child’s educational expenses, so no need for lawyers and courts. If that is not the case, the next best thing is to try and reach an agreement regarding the child’s education.

In many states, the court may order a parent to contribute to all, or a portion, of their child’s private school tuition. In making a determination on education, the court is to consider what is best for the child. Factors to be considered and weighed by the court may include, but not be limited to, the child’s educational history, the child’s educational needs, the school’s resources, the parent’s ability to pay, the parent’s decision regarding the child’s education while married, and the child’s educational performance history.

Absent the court’s interference, the parties may come to an agreement on which school they want their child to attend, and how it is to be paid. In some instance, the child is so young, the parties may come to a written agreement on a process for determining which school their child should attend.

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I did not want to get too much “in the weeds…”

By Cheryl Hepfer

As of July 1st, Maryland became the 21st state where recreational cannabis sales are legal. Anyone over 21 can purchase dried flower, pre-rolled joints, vape cartridges containing THC and edibles. All it takes is a government-issued ID and a trip to a licensed dispensary. There are about 100 dispensaries across the state open for recreational sales. More are coming. Authorities are a bit concerned about safety on the road, and police have been trained to determine is a driver is under the influence of marijuana. And remember that Federal rules still apply!

While marijuana has been a factor in family law cases for decades, the legalization in states like Maryland will take away a parent’s argument that the using parent is criminal. However, the courts may still consider a parent’s use and possession of marijuana in custody cases. This would be similar to the court’s consideration of a parent’s use of alcohol. The court may look at things like the purpose a parent is using marijuana, the amount the parent is using, and the impact of the parent’s use on the children.

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Sandy presented to ACTEC's family law task force at their summer meeting in Washington, D.C.

Cheryl had the pleasure of taking part in the AAML Institute for Family Law Associates in Chicago last month. Both the Introductory and the Advanced sessions provide a comprehensive training program for Associates of Academy Fellows. Cheryl presented in both sessions. The faculty included experienced Academy instructors and nationally renowned experts, including Jay Fishman, Stacy Preston Collins and Kyle Garcia.

Perfect Roast Chicken

2 - (4-pound) roasting chickens
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 fresh thyme springs, divided
2 lemons, divided
1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise, divided
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large yellow onions, halved and sliced crosswise
Good olive oil

Preheat over to 425 degrees

Remove the chicken giblets from each of the chickens. Rinse the chickens inside and out and remove any excess fat and pin feathers. Pat the outsides dry with paper towels. Place the chickens in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the cavities of the chickens. Stuff the cavity of each chicken with half of the thyme, half of the lemons, and half of the garlic. Brush the outside of the chickens with the butter and sprinkle them liberally with salt and paper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chickens. Scatter the onion slices around the chickens, drizzle them with olive oil, toss the onions with your hands, and distribute them around the chickens (you want the chicken and onions to fit snugly in the pan or the onions will burn).

Roast the chickens for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 155 to 160 degrees and the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Slice the chickens onto a platter and serve immediately with the onions and pan juices.

From the cookbook of Ina Garten

Sandra A. Brooks

sbrooks@offitkurman.com

240.507.1716

As a family law attorney, Sandra (Sandy) Brooks’ practice focuses on a wide range of aspects in regards to family law. She dedicates her time to assisting clients in domestic law matters including divorce, child custody and visitation, family mediation, spousal and child support, property division, and division of retirement benefits. Other matters that fall under her jurisdiction as a family law attorney include tax consequences of divorce, mediation, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, negotiating and drafting of separation agreements, domestic litigation, and post-judgment proceedings. Sandy is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Cheryl L. Hepfer

chepfer@offitkurman.com

240.507.1717

Cheryl Hepfer is a highly-regarded attorney who has practiced family law for more than 40 years. She has been rated by her peers and is listed in Best Lawyers in America and as a top lawyer in the Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine, and Super Lawyers. She is past president of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Her practice consists primarily of domestic litigation involving significant assets and business interests. She has a wealth of experience in complex cases involving significant assets and property distribution, alimony, child custody and access. She has significant experience representing owners of businesses and their spouses, and those with significant assets, and works with business valuation experts and forensic accountants to maximize the benefits to her clients.

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