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Summer is coming to an end! We are looking forward to a crisp and colorful fall.
— Sandy and Cheryl
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Attorney Spotlight
Welcome New Offit Kurman Attorney Susan Wyckoff.
Susan Wyckoff is an attorney in the firm’s Family Law practice group. She represents all aspects of Family Law, including divorce, child custody/visitation, family mediation, collaborative law, spousal/child support, property division, division of retirement benefits, domestic violence, paternity, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, negotiation and drafting of marital settlement agreements and parenting plans, adoption, litigation and post-judgment proceedings.
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Maryland Joins the ‘Irreconcilable Differences’ States
By Sandy Brooks
Maryland will become a no-fault grounds state for filing for divorce on October 1, 2023. Maryland will be adding irreconcilable differences and six (6) month separation to its rule books while also retaining the ground of mutual consent. This eliminates all fault grounds for divorce in Maryland.
What does this mean? Well, back in the day, pre-October 1, 2023, one could file for divorce based on a fault ground like adultery, desertion, conviction of a felony, insanity, cruelty, or excessively vicious conduct. In the past, to obtain an absolute divorce, parties had to live separate and apart before they could even file for divorce. The change permits the court to grant an absolute divorce based on the grounds of a six-month separation for those living separately or together. This is in line with the law in many other states. Grounds for divorce that had to be proven in the past can still be considered when determining issues of custody and/or the division of marital assets.
Continue reading here >>
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Hotel Travel Tips
By Cheryl Hepfer
Have you ever wondered how you might be able to make the hotel experience more pleasant? Here are some things you may not have thought about.
Some hotels send out pre-registration emails, asking for your preference as to pillows and the like. If given that opportunity, respond to the options they make available and others. They may or may not honor them, but it’s worth the effort.
You may want to call your hotel to ask about some options that most do not take advantage of. If you want to be close to the elevator, have extra towels in your room, and perhaps even have an early check-in, this is the time to do it. The hotel may have more flexibility to honor your requests before you arrive.
Continue reading here >>
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Family Law had a team outing! | Sandy's team successfully escaping the prison room. | Cheryl's team successfully escaping the fairy tale room. | |
Ava's Flamingo Sparkle Smoothie | |
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While Cheryl is away in Santiago, Chile with the IAFL, her assistant chef, Ava Brooks has shared one of her recipes for Ms. Cheryl and her mom’s newsletter. Ava revealed that Ms. Cheryl taught her to bake, and she knows Ms. Cheryl's secret to making icing. Ava further revealed that her mother is a terrible chef.
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- ½ cup of milk
- 1 cup of vanilla ice cream
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
Blend until smooth and serve with fresh strawberry garnish!
Enjoy!
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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.
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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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