Heather is the firm’s managing partner and divorce law guru. Heather knows all the ins and outs of divorce in Maryland and DC, and she knows exactly what to do to put her clients in a position to accomplish their goals.
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Posts by Heather McCabe
How Does My Divorce Affect My Stimulus Check?
In December, legislators agreed to a second coronavirus relief package, with direct payments of $600 to eligible adults, plus $600 per child dependent. Many individuals and families have already received their stimulus payments, and other payments are on their way. However, for couples in the process of divorce or child support disputes, this stimulus check…
Read MoreFalsifying Drug Tests for Child Custody Cases
How many times have you heard your child’s other parent claim he or she is sober, but you’ve seen the same signs of being under the influence so many times that you know it’s a lie? You have concerns about your child being around that parent but your fears have fallen on deaf ears so…
Read MoreHow to Help Your Kids Through the Holidays After Divorce
Kids of divorce experience the holiday blues at least as much as newly single parents do. It can feel “weird” to split a holiday, or to only see one parent instead of both. This can leave kids feeling angry and frustrated at one (or both) parents and feeling guilty for not somehow making it all…
Read MoreWhat Documents Should I Bring To My First Meeting With My Divorce Lawyer? A Checklist.
You should not put a lot of pressure on yourself when you visit with your lawyer for the first time, but some documents can be helpful to your new attorney in assessing the issues in your case. Remember the military adage, “Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” While the documents can seem personal,…
Read MoreWhat is a Scheduling Conference In A Family Law Matter? Pro Tips to Be Prepared
Every piece of paper you receive in the mail regarding your divorce can cause anxiety, but when you receive the notice of your scheduling conference, don’t fret. A scheduling conference is what it sounds like: it’s an opportunity for the court to hear what the issues are, decide how complex your case is, and schedule…
Read MoreWe moved!
We outgrew our old space! But we love Howard County and we love Maple Lawn, so we didn’t move far. We’re one building over from our old location. You can find us now at our new address: 8171 Maple Lawn Boulevard, Suite 350, Fulton, Maryland 20759. For our friends familiar with Maple Lawn, we’re in…
Read MoreDo I have to wait to get divorced? Do I qualify for a Mutual Consent Divorce?
Once you’ve decided you want to be divorced, you don’t want to have to wait. But divorces can take a bit of time, and separating so that you live under separate roofs can be expensive. The mutual consent divorce ground has been around in Maryland for nearly two years now and can alleviate the strain…
Read More2017 Maryland Rising Star Results Are In! Emily L. Russell Recognized
We are pleased to announce that Emily L. Russell, a Partner at McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers, has been selected to the Super Lawyer’s 2017 Maryland Rising Star list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state. This honor recognizes Emily as an outstanding lawyer…
Read MoreMcCabe Russell Welcomes New Associate Shaoli Sarkar, Esq.
McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers, proudly announces that Shaoli Sarkar, Esq., has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney in the litigation and appellate advocacy practice groups. Shaoli earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her law degree from American University, Washington College of Law in Washington, DC. Prior to joining McCabe…
Read MoreMcCabe Russell Announces New Associate Anna S. Sholl, JD
McCabe Russell proudly announces that Anna S. Sholl, JD, has joined the firm as family law associate effective March 14, 2016. While a student at University of Baltimore Law School (summa cum laude 2014), Anna worked with partner Heather McCabe as a teaching assistant, so she is well known to the firm. She is…
Read MoreWhen Your Children Have Fur: Who Gets The Pet in the Divorce?
More often than you think, we have clients come to us who are primarily concerned not about money or retirement or the marital home, but about what will happen to their pets (especially dogs, cats, and horses) upon their separation or divorce. The answer to this question is not usually very satisfying to our clients: …
Read MoreSupreme Court Opinion (V.L. v. E.L.): the Power of A Second-Parent Adoption
For years we have been meeting with same-sex parents and recommending a second-parent adoption where one of the two parents is the biological parent and one is not. Today’s unanimous opinion from the United States Supreme Court demonstrates exactly why. In V.L. v. E.L., two women had been in a same-sex relationship from 1995 until…
Read MoreDoes marriage make happiness? Not necessarily.
What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you’re mistaken. As the director of 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he…
Read MoreThere’s an App for That: Divorce and Custody Apps That Really Work
Updated 2020 Apps can be life-saving in divorce and custody cases. When you are in the throes of a divorce or a custody case, documentation can make or break your case (remember what we’ve said before about discovery). Even when you’re done with litigation, many custody situations demand sharing calendars and reconciling child-related bills. There are…
Read MoreTake the Quiz: Is Your Husband Cheating?
Are you worried that your spouse is cheating? Have you ever thought considered the idea and then dismissed it? Take our quiz to see what we think based on some of the most common indicators of infidelity. And whatever our quiz says, if you’re worried, consider talking to a lawyer. Take online here :Is Your…
Read MoreMinimizing Your Attorneys’ Fees In Your Divorce
The cost of your attorneys’ fees in a divorce or family law matter can be both emotionally painful and painfully expensive. In order to maximize your money with your lawyer, here are our best tips: Be clear on your goals. At McCabe Russell Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers, our divorce intake form asks clients…
Read MoreDivorce Without Waiting: Maryland’s Mutual Consent Grounds.
Update: July 2018 Mutual Consent Grounds For Divorce in Maryland 2018 As we were talking about all Summer, the new mutual consent grounds for divorce became effective October 1, 2015. It does NOT apply to everyone, but if you and your spouse do NOT have minor children in common (so emancipated children and step-children do…
Read MoreNew “One Judge, One Family” Policy in Montgomery County
Following in the footsteps of some other courts around the country, Montgomery County Circuit Court will adopt a “One Judge, One Family” policy for qualifying cases commencing January 1, 2016. Prior to the adoption of the policy, different portions of the same case were not necessarily heard by the same judge or magistrate. Going forward,…
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