Arnold Legal

03/11/2025

Children are vulnerable during family law proceedings. Often, parents don't know how to insulate them from conflict, and sometimes it's not possible.

Prioritizing the physical and emotional needs of the children is not only the right thing to do for the children, but it can demonstrate to a Court that a parent is committed to the best interests of the child, which is the standard by which practically all decisions are made with regard to child custody in Maryland.

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02/01/2024

Have you heard about legal fee funding, your new, flexible payment option? Pay Later, powered by Affirm, allows you to finance your payment to the firm with no hidden fees or hidden interest, no late charges, and no surprises. Simply pay your total balance in affordable increments over time. Learn more here: lawpay.com/affirm.

Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders.

08/13/2023

In celebration of our first year in business, Arnold Legal is CLOSED beginning August 14th for a well earned vacation. We will reopen on Monday, August 21st.

Clients can reach us for time sensitive legal matters via our normal communication methods.

Carpe Diem!

02/28/2023

Domestic violence is not always physical. Everyone knows someone who has experienced an overly controlling significant other.

A new bill (HB1178) introduced by Delegate McComas in the Maryland House would make "coercive control" grounds for seeking a peace or protective order, commonly known as a restraining order.

"Coercive control" would be defined as "repeated or continuous behavior towards an adult individual that is 1) controlling and coercive, 2) has a serious effect on the other individual, and 3) the individual who engages in the behavior should reasonably know will have a serious effect on the other individual."

"serious effect" would mean: "1) fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against the individual, or 2) alarm or distress that has a substantial adverse effect on the individual's usual day-to-day activities."

This may sound like a lot of legal gobbledygook, but in practice, it is easy to spot.

This bill would provide relief to that person you know who just could not get away from someone who was controlling every aspect of their lives, even when the person didn't want them to.

If you want to help that person, you could contact your house representative and tell them to vote yes on HB1178 when it comes up for a vote.

Find your representative here:

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Find full information on the bill here:

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1178?ys=2022RS

02/17/2023

In Maryland, alimony can be awarded during a divorce proceeding. The most common type of alimony is temporary, and is meant to allow the spouse receiving alimony to be able to be provided for while they receive education, training, or experience that will then allow them to support themselves. This can prevent a situation where one spouse defers career or education opportunities to take care of children, but then finds themselves unqualified for employment in the event of a divorce.

02/06/2023

Arnold Legal is excited to announce a new payment option for our clients: ClientCredit.

Powered by LawPay, ClientCredit is a flexible legal fee lending solution with no hidden fees and no surprises. Learn more here: http://lawpay.com/affirm

02/03/2023

The Fifth Circuit ruled this week that a domestic violence protective order cannot restrict a person's access to fi****ms. The reasoning was essentially that because nobody was concerned with domestic violence in the past, it can't be dealt with now. This is an awful decision and a dangerous one in a time when intimate partner violence is on the rise. It will likely cost some victims their lives.

01/25/2023

In practically any proceeding concerning the custody, care, or support of a child, the "Best Interests of the Child" standard is of "transcendent" importance. A Maryland Court can consider practically any evidence that it finds to be relevant to what is in a child's best interest, and make whatever order it sees fit to achieve that goal.

12/16/2022

Do you know if it's your responsibility to keep your sidewalk and driveway free from ice and snow? What if you slip on your neighbor's icy driveway? What if your customer slips at your business? What if a trespasser slips and gets hurt? Answers to all these questions and more brought to you by our lovely legal system.

12/08/2022

A new law will make it easier for survivors of domestic violence to separate their cell phone plan from an abuser, and potentially allow for temporary reduced cost coverage. This is great news and a huge help for victims to battle a seemingly small and often overlooked way that abusers exert control over their victims.

President Joe Biden has signed H.R.

11/27/2022

Remember that Cyber Monday is followed by Estate Planning Tuesday.

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving!