NAVIGATE THE DIFFICULT CHALLENGES OF DIVORCE
As a practitioner of law in Howard County for over 30 years with 15 exclusively in Family Law, I have seen the devastation that occurs during the dissolution of a marriage. Whether you are an economically-independent spouse, or an economically-dependent spouse, when a marriage ends, there are many consequences including financial, 
property and child custody issues. How those consequences are managed will dramatically affect your life. Each issue standing alone is daunting, together they can be overwhelming. The key is the effective management of these matters with the help of trained professionals.
• Hire an experienced family law attorney who has a wealth of litigation experience. In the event you are not able to settle the case with an Agreement, you want an attorney who is experienced in the courtroom arena.
• Gather important documents including tax, bank, mortgage, credit card, life/health insurance and phone records, as well as deeds, titles and other documentation.
• Track communications. Communications almost always leave a footprint with the use of e-mail and text messaging. If they will have an impact on future decisions, then preserve them for future use.
• What you do now will likely affect what happens in the future. So, make your actions match your words. If you believe your spouse is a danger to your children, then you should not leave the children with him/her. If you cannot find work, then you should be able to demonstrate your efforts to find employment and/or update or acquire skills. If you have a financial deficiency and cannot put food on the table, then don’t spend money on massages, vacations, or cosmetic surgery.
• You have options for resolving the issues. Issues generated by the termination of your marriage can be resolved by Agreement or by Litigation. An Agreement can be reached in a number of ways including mediation which can be efficient and cost effective. If there is no Agreement, then there will be Litigation, resulting in a court ordered resolution. The key to managing divorce is to make good and informed decisions about counsel. Research the attorney’s background, location, reputation, and skills. Check references and have a consultation with an attorney. Take advantage of free seminars offered by Silverstein & Ostovitz to get a sense of what we offer and to better understand the divorce process. Visit mddivorce.com for more information and to pre-register. As the only Howard County-based law firm with its partners as fellows in the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, we can help you navigate the difficult challenges of divorce. The Business Women’s Network of Howard County (BWN) has named Linda Ostovitz, as the 2014 Woman of Distinction.
Linda Sorg Ostovitz LSO/Partner S&O/Fellow AAML/President BWN
Silverstein & Ostovitz, LLC8355 Court Avenue- Ellicott City, MD 21043 – OFFICE: 410-461-4200 www.mddivorce.com
