If you're facing this situation in 2026, contact our Gaithersburg, MD divorce lawyers. When you call, you’ll speak directly to an attorney, not a receptionist.

Can My Spouse Stop the Divorce Without My Agreement?

Maryland law generally does not allow one spouse to unilaterally stop a divorce once it has been filed if the other spouse wants to proceed. Under Maryland Code, Family Law § 7-103, a court can grant a divorce based on grounds like separation or mutual consent. If you're seeking a divorce on valid legal grounds, your spouse's change of heart typically won't prevent the case from moving forward. The case can continue, though your spouse may try to contest certain issues along the way.]]> Divorce 2026-08-06 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/how-do-i-prove-that-the-police-didn-t-have-probable-cause-for-a-dui-stop https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/how-do-i-prove-that-the-police-didn-t-have-probable-cause-for-a-dui-stop Proving that the police lacked probable cause for a DUI stop can be one of the most powerful defenses in a DUI case. If the stop was not legally justified, any evidence gathered after it, including breath test results, field sobriety tests, and the officer's observations, may be thrown out. Without that evidence, the prosecution's case can fall apart. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026 and something about the stop did not feel right, Diamant Gerstein, LLC can help. Our Bethesda, MD DUI defense lawyers can assess what happened and find out whether your rights were violated.

What Is Probable Cause and How Does It Apply to a DUI Stop?

To pull you over, an officer only needs reasonable suspicion. That is a lower bar than probable cause. It means the officer needs specific facts that suggest you may be breaking the law or committing a traffic violation. A swerve across a lane, a broken taillight, or running a red light can all give an officer enough reason to stop your car.]]> DUI 2026-07-04 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/parallel-parenting-vs-co-parenting-with-a-narcissist-after-divorce https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/parallel-parenting-vs-co-parenting-with-a-narcissist-after-divorce When you are trying to raise children with someone who has narcissistic traits, traditional co-parenting often does not work. A narcissistic ex-partner may use every interaction as a chance to control, manipulate, or create conflict.

Parallel parenting is a different approach. It is designed specifically for situations like this. If you are struggling to figure out the best parenting arrangement after a difficult divorce in 2026, the Rockville, MD divorce lawyers at our firm can help you find a structure that protects you and your children.

What Is the Difference Between Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting?

Co-parenting works best when both parents can talk to each other respectfully and put their children first. It involves regular contact, shared decision-making, and flexibility. For many families, it works well.]]> Child Custody 2026-06-11 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/will-i-lose-my-license-forever-for-multiple-duis-in-maryland https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/will-i-lose-my-license-forever-for-multiple-duis-in-maryland Maryland does not permanently revoke your license automatically just because you have multiple DUI convictions. But the consequences get significantly more serious with each offense, and getting your license back takes real effort and legal help. Facing a second or third DUI charge does not have to define the rest of your life. Our Baltimore, MD DUI defense lawyers can help you understand exactly where you stand and what can be done to protect your driving privileges in 2026.

How Does Maryland Handle License Suspensions for Multiple DUIs?

Maryland uses a points-based system to track driving violations. A DUI conviction adds 12 points to your driving record, which is managed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Reaching certain point levels triggers increasingly serious consequences.]]> DUI 2026-05-12 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/can-fathers-win-primary-custody-in-maryland-md-family-lawyer https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/can-fathers-win-primary-custody-in-maryland-md-family-lawyer Fathers can absolutely win primary custody in Maryland. Under Maryland Family Law § 5-203, neither parent automatically has superior rights to custody over the other. Maryland law treats mothers and fathers equally when it comes to custody decisions. The old idea that courts automatically favor mothers is simply not legally valid in Maryland.

Courts consider what is best for the child, not the gender of the parent asking for custody. A father who is actively involved and able to meet his child's needs has just as strong a case as any mother. If you are a father fighting for custody in 2026, our Chevy Chase, MD family lawyers are here to help.

How Does Maryland Law Approach Custody Decisions?

Maryland courts base all custody decisions on what is called the best interests of the child standard. Maryland Family Law § 9-201 reflects this approach by identifying factors courts may consider when evaluating a child’s welfare.]]> Child Custody 2026-04-13 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/what-should-i-do-if-i-am-charged-with-drug-trafficking-in-maryland https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/what-should-i-do-if-i-am-charged-with-drug-trafficking-in-maryland A drug trafficking charge is one of the most serious charges a person can face in Maryland. You are probably scared, confused, and wondering what comes next. That's completely understandable. These charges carry heavy penalties, and the legal process can be hard to navigate on your own. If you're facing this situation in 2026, our Gaithersburg, MD drug trafficking defense lawyers are here to help.

What Is Drug Trafficking Under Maryland Law?

You hear "drug trafficking" and likely picture large criminal organizations. But Maryland law defines it much more broadly than that. Under Maryland Criminal Law § 5-602, a person can be charged with drug trafficking simply for distributing, dispensing, or possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute.]]> Criminal Defense 2026-03-13 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/will-i-get-alimony-if-we-get-divorced-in-maryland-in-2026 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/will-i-get-alimony-if-we-get-divorced-in-maryland-in-2026 Alimony is one of the first things people ask about when a marriage is falling apart. It’s also one of the least understood parts of divorce. Some people expect it automatically. Others assume they will never qualify. The truth is more nuanced than either of those assumptions, and in Maryland, whether you pay or receive alimony depends on the specific facts of your case.

If you are thinking about divorce in 2026, here is a straightforward look at how Maryland alimony actually works. Contact our Bethesda, MD divorce attorneys to get your questions about alimony answered.

Does Maryland Automatically Award Alimony in a Divorce?

Alimony is never automatic in Maryland. A court will not award it simply because one spouse earns more than the other, or because the marriage lasted a long time. You have to ask for it, and then the court decides whether it is appropriate based on a list of specific factors laid out in Maryland Code, Family Law § 11-106.]]> Alimony 2026-02-19 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/got-a-dui-with-your-kid-in-the-car-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-in-2026 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/got-a-dui-with-your-kid-in-the-car-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-in-2026 If you are facing DUI charges with a minor in your vehicle, the penalties in 2026 are more severe than a standard DUI. You could face jail time, heavy fines, loss of your license, and child endangerment charges. Our Rockville criminal defense lawyer can help protect your rights. 

What Are the Penalties for DUI with a Child in Maryland?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 35 people die in drunk driving accidents every day. Over the course of recent years, over a thousand of those people have been minors. 

This isn’t to make you feel guilty; parents are only people, and many of us get behind the wheel mistakenly thinking we’re fine to drive. But you need to understand that getting arrested for DUI with your child in the car is one of the most serious charges you can face.]]> DUI 2026-01-22 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/new-factors-for-the-court-to-consider-in-child-custody-cases-in-maryland https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/new-factors-for-the-court-to-consider-in-child-custody-cases-in-maryland Maryland's custody law saw major changes with House Bill 1191, which codifies the "best interests" factors into law, creating a clearer, more consistent standard for judges to follow, emphasizing stability, safety, and specific developmental needs, and requiring courts to explain their reasoning. Key updates include a clear list of 16 factors (like stability, conflict exposure, child's preference) and formalizing that a parent's move can be a material change for modification.  This is very important, because the Court now has to literally, on the record, enumerate the factors it considered in determining custody.  Key Changes from HB 1191 (Effective Oct 1, 2025)]]> Child Custody 2025-12-12 00:00:00 https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/divorcing-a-narcissistic-spouse-in-maryland https://www.dgalawfirm.ocv-aws-02.com/blog/divorcing-a-narcissistic-spouse-in-maryland One of the questions I get asked over and over again, is how to divorce a narcissist.  Narcissists are not just difficult; they are also calculated and manipulative, especially during a divorce. They may attempt to gaslight you, distorting facts to make you question your memory, or file frivolous motions to drain your financial resources. Please know you are not "crazy." The gaslighting and manipulation by the other spouse aims to make you "feel" that way.

One day, a narcissist might be charming, and the next, they are using your children as leverage to maintain control. For example, they might conveniently "forget" to share financial records or exaggerate their role as a parent to gain sympathy. In one recent case, the narcissistic spouse called the pediatrician and took my client off of every health form, in direct violation of a court order.

These tactics are not just frustrating; they are designed to wear you down. Recognizing these behaviors is your first line of defense.

Helpful tips:

Document Your Interactions: Narcissists excel at rewriting history. Keep a detailed log of all communications (emails, text messages, and even voicemails). If your spouse tries to twist the narrative, you will have the evidence to counter their claims.]]> Divorce 2025-12-12 00:00:00