Whether you are faced with the dissolution of your marriage; the beginning of a new life as a partner in a marriage; or a change in child custody or visitation, a member of our legal staff can offer insight into the legal complexities of each situation and guide you toward a viable resolution.

Areas of Assistance

Bulman Dunie has extensive experience in all areas of family law. The following is brief example of some of the areas in which Bulman Dunie can assist you:

• divorce litigation, including separation agreements and changes in alimony or spousal support
• prenuptial agreements
• marital property distribution as part of a negotiation process
• child custody including modifications
• visitation issues/litigation, including grandparent visitation
• domestic violence complaints and protective orders
• adoption
• guardianship
• alternative dispute resolution/mediation for all family law areas

We are here to assist you in every step of the process

Bulman Dunie's goal is to resolve your issues as quickly and thoroughly as possible. In many cases your interests will be best served by resolution of a conflict through negotiations, mediation or alternative dispute resolution. Mediation or alternative dispute resolution can eliminate the need for complicated court involvement. A Bulman Dunie staff member would oversee such a process from start to finish.

If a solution by negotiations, mediation or alternative dispute resolution is unattainable, Bulman Dunie will work diligently with you to prepare and file the appropriate court documents and to represent your interests fully in court. For example, in a divorce situation, one of our family law attorneys will address questions such as:

• what are the pre-marital assets?
• what assets were acquired during the marriage?
• are there pension assets to distribute?
• what are the tax implications of any property settlement and/or alimony payments
• must the marital home be sold immediately or retained by one of the parties
• who is the decision-maker for the children and where should the children live?

All of these questions must be examined in conjunction with many other factors to formulate the best strategy. Bulman Dunie understands that both you and your situation are unique and that there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" approach.

Throughout the process Bulman Dunie has the capability of working with you in analyzing the tax implications of such matters as alimony payments, child support payments, property transfers, dependency exemptions, and the like. Bulman Dunie also works with appraisers to determine the present value of pensions and other retirement funds and the value of business interests, should these assets be involved.

Once your litigation is complete, you may have questions about estate planning for the future; tax planning for the children's college expenses; the implications of the sale of the family home; and/or the implications of the purchase of another residence. Bulman Dunie also offers legal services in the areas of real estate transactions, estate and tax planning, and business advice.

We are here to direct the client through an array of emotions

Whether you are seeking an adoption of a child or the termination of a long-term marriage through divorce, chances are that you and your family are embarking on a very emotional journey. Bulman Dunie appreciates the vast array of emotions tied to these issues. We work closely with mental health professionals in the community to provide you and your family with the legal assistance and emotional support necessary to obtain a complete resolution of the matter. Moreover, in cases where child custody is in dispute, Bulman Dunie works closely with community mental health professionals to assist the parent/guardian to make fully informed decisions on behalf of the child. Whether a custody evaluation is necessary for your litigation requirements or merely, the establishment of a therapeutic relationship for a minor child, Bulman Dunie has the experience to guide you.

We are here to offer experience and an established reputation

You will find that retaining an attorney from Bulman, Dunie brings access to a firm with an established reputation in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Attorneys from the family law department have been appointed by Judges of the Montgomery County Circuit Court to carry out a variety of court functions. Often in a particularly heated custody dispute, the court, concerned that a minor child's best interests are not being fully examined, will select an attorney from the community to serve as a guardian ad litem for the child. The role of a court appointed guardian ad litem is often fulfilled by family law attorneys at Bulman Dunie. The Montgomery County Circuit Court also appoints senior domestic attorneys to facilitate disputes through mediation at the court house in order to prevent further conflict and litigation. Once again Bulman Dunie attorneys have served the Court and the community in this capacity. Bulman Dunie's reputation of integrity and professionalism allows us to work effectively with attorneys, judges, and court personnel to reach your desired goal.

Nancy B. Farren, John F. Burke and Kristen M. Milardo are the attorney members of the Family Law Practice Area. A staff of associates and legal assistants supports them.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Copyright © 2003 by Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, CHTD. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.