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Co-Parent Easily During the School Year by Utilizing These Tips

 Posted on September 21, 2017 in Uncategorized

The arrival of autumn and the change in seasons signals a few things. Beyond the change of colors in the leaves and the much anticipated arrival of the pumpkin spice latte, it means back to school for kids. While kids are abuzz with the change in seasons, it can be tough to handle the switch between summer schedules and fall schedules with your child’s other parent in a child custody arrangement. Handle the transition smoothly by utilizing these co-parenting tips.

Schedules can get hectic for parents living in separate households raising a kid who is going back to school this fall. With technology advancements, many schools are revolutionizing as well, so make sure to take advantage of any online communications that you and your spouse can access to keep a better eye on your kid’s school work. In addition, allow both parents to be notified by the school about anything significant, that way no parent is out of the loop. Even though you are not together, try to attend the parent-teacher conferences together as this allows both parents to be a part of their child’s accomplishments and to know about any challenges they may be facing this school year.

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Reckless Drivers Can Be Held Accountable for The Havoc They Wreak

 Posted on September 15, 2017 in Uncategorized

Thousands of Bowie residents make the responsible decision to drive safely everyday. Driving safely isn’t just about abiding by the laws either. It’s about making a conscious decision to be alert and aware every time a driver gets behind the wheel. Of course, there is always one person (or a bunch of people!) who ruin it for everyone and in this case, that means reckless drivers and inattentive drivers.

Trying to pinpoint which drivers, and when, reckless behaviors and inattentiveness will occur is very difficult. It can be hard to know exactly what a driver is doing behind the wheel. They could be texting, drowsy, or otherwise distracted and this could easily cause a car accident and injuries to them and other parties. Oftentimes, laws are broken when a driver is inattentive or reckless. They may speed, swerve between lanes and even run traffic signals due to their inattention.

The injures that can result when another vehicle is involved in a car accident with a distracted or reckless driver can be severe. Since the vehicle can lose control or end up in a place they aren’t supposed to be, oftentimes another vehicle has no-where to go. They could be rear-ended, t-boned or even forced off the road while trying to avoid the other vehicle. At the Law Office of Kari Holm Fawcett, we know how these injuries can take a toll on your family and impact your life.

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What Is a Limited and Absolute Divorce in Maryland?

 Posted on September 08, 2017 in Uncategorized

When a Maryland couple becomes engaged they’re pretty much on cloud nine. Nothing can distract a couple from their love. But, a divorce can happen to any couple, no matter how in love they may seem at the start of their marriage. In Maryland, there are two types of divorce, a limited divorce and an absolute divorce. These two types of divorce allow for flexibility for couples whose marriage may be ending.

A limited divorce is where the court supervises the separation of the couple. This type of divorce works well for couples who do not have grounds for an absolute divorce, they’re unable to settle their differences privately and need financial relief. A person cannot be remarried under limited divorce, but the couple can live apart. Temporary custody arrangements, child support arrangements and alimony may be arranged.

An absolute divorce is where a marriage is officially dissolved. In order to have an absolute divorce, there needs to be grounds established. These can include adultery, desertion, criminal activity, 12 month separation, cruelty towards spouse or child, insanity or mutual consent.

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Divorcing a Spouse with Mental Illness

 Posted on September 03, 2017 in Uncategorized

Divorce is painful, frightening and overwhelming for any couple. Adding mental illness into the equation only makes the situation more complex. You may fear judgment from loved ones or feel guilt due to wanting to break the vow to be there in sickness and in health.

Unfortunately, divorce may be the best option for the whole family if your spouse refuses to seek help or follow medical advice. You can end the marriage compassionately while still protecting your rights.

What Is Mental Illness?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness is a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder that does not stem from developmental issues or substance abuse. Severe types affect about 4 percent of U.S. adults, whereas at least 17.9 percent of adults have any type. Examples of mental illnesses are bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, autism, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders.

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Why Would One Seek Alimony in A Divorce?

 Posted on September 01, 2017 in Uncategorized

A life change as big as a divorce can feel overwhelming upon first glance. While it’s definitely not a decision to take lightly, it is also a decision that can be taken in steps. Addressing each issue that comes up with the process of divorce can make everything feel more manageable. One aspect that impacts some Bowie residents in a divorce is the issue of alimony.

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a term given to the financial support one ex-spouse gives the other, as outlined in the divorce decree. Not all divorces will have a clause for alimony, as it is only assigned in certain situations. That situation would dictate that after a marriage has ended, it left an imbalance in financial capabilities and opportunities per the arrangement of the dissolved marriage. If one spouse forwent their career and financial opportunities while the other spouse was able to achieve in this area of their life, this is often a situation in which one person pays the other ex-spouse alimony.

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Compensable Injuries Often Suffered in Bowie Car Accidents

 Posted on August 24, 2017 in Uncategorized

Sometimes navigating Bowie roads and other Maryland highways and county roads can feel like a big puzzle. Trying to navigate around the unsafe drivers, road construction and whatever else may complicate the daily commute that morning or evening. Since you are a safe driver, you know to be aware and attentive when behind the wheel. Sadly, not all drivers are so dedicated to driving safely behind the wheel and it could cause a collision resulting in driver and passenger car accident injury.

Certain injuries are frequently seen as a result of car collisions. Head, neck and back injuries are common as the sudden jarring of an impact can cause a person’s spine, neck or head to snap in a direction suddenly, causing mild, moderate or even severe injury. Since cars abruptly change speed or direction upon impact, these injuries are often very common for those involved in Bowie car accidents. Chest injuries are fairly common as well, when impact with the seat belt or airbag is so great that it causes broken ribs or even collapsed lungs.

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Seeking Relocation May Be in The Best Interests of Child

 Posted on August 18, 2017 in Uncategorized

It is entirely possible for two parents to love their child but not necessarily be in love with each other. Families have a lot of different dynamics these days, and in order for child-rearing to go smoothly, a child custody arrangement need be in place to ensure everyone knows what to expect. What about when a parent with physical custody thinking about relocation? Relocating a child in a child custody arrangement may be in their best interest.

Child custody arrangements often have limitations about where the primary physical custody parent can reside in relation to a child and their other parent. This is to ensure that parents with joint custody can realistically meet the obligations of their child custody agreement and do so in a way that doesn’t put too much stress on the child. However, an opportunity or a family circumstance may have the physical custody parent thinking about moving or relocating. How would one go about putting this change into motion?

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MD Pedestrian Killed when Vehicles Collided on Route 5

 Posted on August 10, 2017 in Uncategorized

We have all been there. One minute, your car is driving just fine and the next, you are pulled over on the side of the road while your car comes to a sputtering stop. When you step out of your vehicle, you assess the issue and hopefully get the situation handled or call someone for help. But, what if this story didn’t have a satisfactory ending? What if you were hit by a vehicle on the side of the road and never made it back to your vehicle or home to your family?

That was the case for one Maryland man when he pulled over to the side of Route 5. He was having car trouble and apparently working on his Lexus that afternoon when a woman’s vehicle left the roadway. Her Acura drove off into the right shoulder, struck the man’s vehicle, which then threw him into a nearby grassy area. Authorities found him unresponsive upon arrival and he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.

It is unclear at this time why the Acura left the roadway. The driver of that vehicle did survive the crash and is expected to make a full recovery. The family of the man killed is certainly seeking answers as to what caused his untimely death. Personal injury suits can help families recover damages from parties believed to have been negligent in a car accident.

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How to Estimate Bowie Child Support Payments?

 Posted on August 04, 2017 in Uncategorized

When parents in Maryland decide to live separate lives from each other, it can be difficult discerning who pays for what in their child’s upbringing. With more and more families in separate living situations, how do parents work out the financial details of their child’s upbringing? They both want the best for them, so how is it determined to be a fair and equitable solution? The answer is unique to each family, there are several factors that will determine how child support numbers are decided.

Child support is often part of the general child custody arrangement. Determining who has primary physical custody can really impact how child support numbers are calculated. Generally, the parent who has primary physical custody will be the recipient of the child support payments and the other parent, the payee. This is to off-set the everyday and housing costs associated with child-rearing that the other parent may not have on a daily basis.

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The Hidden Dangers that Distracted Drivers Pose

 Posted on July 31, 2017 in Uncategorized

You likely see distracted drivers on many types of roadways: interstates, bustling city streets and lonely country lanes. The most obvious symptom that someone is driving distracted tends to be the fact that he or she is on a cell phone, which Maryland law forbids. However, many types of distraction exist. Even daydreaming during a boring stretch of road is a distraction, as it makes the driver less aware of the surroundings and less capable of reacting quickly and appropriately should something occur.

In one way, the dangers such drivers pose are obvious. For example, if you have been injured by such a driver, you may have dealt with (or be dealing with) immense physical and emotional pain, lost wages, disability, massive medical bills and much more. However, there are hidden dangers as well.

Leading by Example

Children often learn by watching their parents, and it is common for parents to be chagrined when they realize their children have picked up a bad habit from them. The same concept applies to distracted driving. Parent A may think nothing of checking his or her email while driving but does not understand the children in the back seat see this behavior and think it is okay. Thus, new drivers have come of age watching their parents engage in blatant distracted driving for years and might feel like it is no big deal.

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