Best Family Lawyer in Baltimore
Neil Dubovsky
Family Lawyer
From his law school success to his distinguished appellate clerkship, to being the “lawyer’s lawyer” in representing other attorneys in legal malpractice and ethics cases, Neil has developed a reputation as hard-working and aggressive, without sacrificing the personable style that endears him to clients and fellow attorneys alike.
It is that approach and success that led to Neil being rated as one of the Top 100 Civil Trial Lawyers in the entire state of Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association. And it is also that approach that has led to Neil’s high client satisfaction over the course of his career.
With Neil and Dubo Law, you get the benefits of a seasoned, experienced, and successful attorney coupled with a smaller volume of cases than a “large” firm, which allows for more personal attention and faster case resolution.
Hasson D. Barnes
Family Lawyer
Hasson Barnes practices in various areas of Civil and Criminal litigation, including but not limited to, Criminal Defense, Real Estate and Landlord /Tenant matters, Foreclosure and Tax Sale Litigation, Small Claims, Divorce, Child Support, Guardianship, and Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) Hearings.
Attorney Barnes learned the ins and outs of criminal law while working as a Law Clerk for the Office of the Public Defender’s Misdemeanor Jury Trial Division, and developed an interest in real estate and business formation through his work as a Student Attorney, while at American University, Washington College of Law’s Community and Economic Development Law Clinic.
Getting hurt in a car accident, slip and fall or other incident can be painful, costly and traumatic. When the accident could have been avoided but for another party’s negligence, justice demands that the responsible party be held accountable for the harm they have caused. Whether negotiating a settlement with the insurance company or taking your case to court, we make sure you get the care and compensation you need and deserve, and that you are not further harmed by having to take on the burden of the additional expenses and challenges placed on you through no fault of your own.
Dennis E. Cuomo
Family Lawyer
Mr. Cuomo is the founder of the Cuomo Law Firm. He focuses his practice on criminal, serious traffic, personal injury, and estate administration. Mr. Cuomo has over 40 years of legal experience, practicing law in the Baltimore County and City area, as well as Harford, Howard, Cecil, Worcester, and Anne Arundel counties.
Mr. Cuomo is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and grew up in Baltimore City. He is a graduate University of Baltimore and the University of Baltimore School of Law. Mr. Cuomo’s legal career began as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, where he worked from 1977 through 1983. After gaining experience in litigation as a prosecuting attorney (Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Felony Divisions), Mr. Cuomo was appointed to the Arson Task Force. With the Arson Task Froce, MR. Cuomo prosecuted arson cases in coordination with the Fire Department, Baltimore City CIDD Arson Unit, and insurance carriers. Mr. Cuomo founded the Law Office of Dennis E. Cuomo, in 1983. Mr. Cuomo is currently the Senior Partner of the Cuomo Law Firm, with offices located in Southeast Baltimore City and the Towson area of Baltimore County.
Mr. Cuomo is a resident of northern Baltimore County and married with five children, and six grandchildren. In his spare time, Mr. Cuomo enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, and trips to the beach.
kerri cohen
Family Lawyer
Julius Blattner
Family Lawyer
Julius Blattner has an extremely impressive educational background. Julius graduated Summa Cum Laude from Salisbury University in 2008 in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a minor in History. He then earned his law degree graduating Cum Laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2012. To further his education, Julius graduated from Liberty University in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, with a concentration in Family and Marital Counseling. Passionate about justice and the United States of America, it’s no surprise that Julius is a combat veteran with almost 20 years of service and is still serving our country as a legal advisor in the Maryland Army National Guard as a Judge Advocate.
Known for his wonderful character, clients describe Julius as caring, hardworking, communicative, helpful, honest, and kind. Family is most important to Julius which is why it’s so important to him to help his clients achieve the best results possible in their family law case. Julius has won many awards, with some of the most notable including Super Lawyer, Avvo Client’s Choice Award, Top 10 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, Top 10 American Jurist Institute, Lawyers of Distinction, Premier 100 American Academy of Trial Attorneys, and Best Family Lawyers in Baltimore. In his spare time, Julius enjoys spending time with family, running races, working out, and being active in his church. Julius is a big Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens fan.
A. David Zerivitz
Family Lawyer
David Zerivitz is an experienced family and divorce attorney in Towson, MD and the surrounding areas. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1967 he continued to the University of Baltimore School of Law. Since graduating in 1971, he has represented clients in both the Maryland Circuit Court and Maryland District Court for a number of cases.
A. David Zerivitz, P.A. Attorney At Law opened back in 1974 and since has been providing reliable legal counsel for clients in the area. David was listed in Super Lawyers 2012 Magazine for Family Law. Only 5% of the attorneys in the state are named in Super Lawyers. He is also a member of the:
- Bar Association of Baltimore City, Family Law Committee
- District Court Bench-Bar Committee Chairman
- Bar Association of Maryland, Family Law Committee
- Bar Association of Baltimore County, Family Law Committee
Attorney David Zerivitz can assist with any of the following:
- Divorce
- Division of Marital Property
- Alimony
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Visitation
- Domestic Violence
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Prenuptial Agreements
Thomas J. Maronick Jr.
Family Lawyer
Thomas Maronick Jr is known as one of the top high-stakes trial attorneys in Maryland, especially known for his criminal defense work including significant jury trial wins defending those accused of sex crimes and gun crimes amongst many .
His career includes defending a Baltimore City police officer in a televised assault case that made national news, and a federal gun case where his results led to a government appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court weighed in on the issues.
Attorney Thomas Maronick Jr focuses his practice on criminal defense and DUI’s, bankruptcy, family law, serious accident and personal injury cases. He also helps business owners with a variety of issues from debt and credit issues to restaurant and retail leases. He and the firm will also partner with other firms to take on serious medical malpractice cases.
He is the recipient of a “Superb” Awo.com rating of over 10.0, and has been awarded the distinction of being of named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He has earned BBB and Lead Counsel accreditations as well as being named one of Annapolis’ “40 Finest” in 2013 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was selected in 2014 to The Daily Record’s VIP List, recognizing professionals who are “Successful by 40.” The award, given out by an independent panel of judges, considers a nominee’s professional achievements as well as community work and the extent to which they contribute a positive energy in Maryland before reaching the age of 40.
Phillip Corey Levin
Family Lawyer
Family law in Maryland covers a broad spectrum of legal matters that involve families and their relationships. From domestic disputes to divorce and child custody, understanding the basics of family law can prepare you for complex and often emotional situations.
Important Areas of Family Law
- Domestic Disputes: Family law provides mechanisms to address conflicts and potentially harmful situations within the household.
- Domestic Violence: Maryland law offers legal protection and resources for victims of domestic abuse.
- Protective and Peace Orders: These court orders aim to safeguard individuals from domestic violence and provide a layer of protection.
- Divorce: Also known as “dissolution of marriage,” divorce is the legal process of ending a marital union.
- Child Custody: Family courts make decisions regarding the legal and physical care of children when parents separate, covering where a child will live and who makes major decisions.
Family law matters are often emotionally charged. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate these complex issues by:
- Providing legal counsel: Understanding legal rights, procedures, and potential outcomes is crucial.
- Drafting and filing legal documents: An attorney ensures paperwork is correctly completed and submitted on time.
- Mediation and negotiation: Lawyers can facilitate communication between parties to reach peaceful resolutions outside of court.
- Representation in court: An advocate for your interests in court proceedings.
How much does a family lawyer cost in Maryland?
The cost of hiring a family lawyer in Maryland can vary widely based on several factors, including the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the specific services required. Here’s a general overview:
1. Hourly Rates
- Average Rates: Family lawyers in Maryland typically charge between $200 and $400 per hour. However, this range can vary depending on the lawyer’s experience, reputation, and the region within Maryland where they practice.
- Experienced Lawyers: More experienced and specialized family lawyers may charge upwards of $400 to $600 per hour, especially in complex cases like high-asset divorces or contentious custody battles.
2. Flat Fees
- For certain types of services, such as uncontested divorces or drafting legal documents (like prenuptial agreements), some family lawyers in Maryland may charge a flat fee. These fees can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the work involved.
3. Retainers
- Most family lawyers require a retainer fee upfront before they begin working on a case. A retainer is an advance payment that the lawyer draws from as they work on your case.
- Typical Retainer Amounts: Retainers for family law cases in Maryland often range from $2,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the anticipated complexity of the case. In more complex or high-stakes cases, the retainer could be higher.
- Once the retainer is depleted, the client may need to replenish it if the case requires additional work.
4. Total Cost for Common Family Law Cases
- Uncontested Divorce: If both parties agree on all major issues (such as property division, alimony, and child custody), the total cost for an uncontested divorce may range from $1,500 to $5,000, including legal fees and court costs.
- Contested Divorce: For a contested divorce, where the parties disagree on key issues and the case may go to trial, costs can be significantly higher. It’s not uncommon for contested divorces to cost between $10,000 and $30,000 or more, depending on the length and complexity of the case.
- Child Custody Cases: The cost for child custody cases can also vary widely. If the case is relatively straightforward, costs may range from $3,000 to $10,000. However, if the case is contentious and requires extensive court appearances or expert witnesses, costs can easily exceed $15,000 or more.
5. Factors Influencing Cost
- Complexity of the Case: The more complex the case (e.g., high-net-worth divorces, disputes involving multiple properties, or cases requiring expert testimony), the higher the legal fees.
- Attorney’s Experience: More experienced and reputable attorneys often charge higher fees. However, they may also be more efficient, potentially reducing the total number of billable hours.
- Geographical Location: Lawyers practicing in more affluent areas or major cities in Maryland (like Baltimore or Bethesda) may charge higher rates compared to those in smaller towns or rural areas.
6. Additional Costs
- In addition to attorney fees, clients may also need to pay for other costs associated with their case, such as court filing fees, costs for serving legal documents, fees for expert witnesses, and costs related to mediation or arbitration.
Conclusion
The cost of hiring a family lawyer in Maryland can range from a few thousand dollars for simple cases to tens of thousands of dollars for complex, contested cases. Hourly rates typically fall between $200 and $400, with retainers ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. It’s important to discuss fees and payment structures with your lawyer upfront to understand the potential costs involved in your specific case.