Introduction to the 2025 Family Practice Update
At Blattner Family Law, we are committed to keeping you informed about the latest legal developments affecting families in Maryland. The 2025 Family Practice Update, presented by the Maryland State Bar Association on August 21, 2025, and led by esteemed attorneys Paul Reinstein, Heather Sweren, and Maureen Glackin, provides a comprehensive overview of significant legislation passed in 2025 and case law decisions from January 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025. This blog post summarizes the key highlights from this 59-page document to help you navigate the evolving landscape of family law in Maryland. You can read the full document here.
Meet the Expert Presenters
The update features three highly respected family law practitioners:
– Paul J. Reinstein, Esquire, a partner at Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC, heads the firm’s family law department. Recognized as a Top 10 and Top 100 Super Lawyer in Maryland for multiple years, Mr. Reinstein is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and a past president of its Maryland Chapter. His extensive experience includes lecturing on family law issues and serving as an arbitrator and mediator.
– Heather R. Sweren, a partner at Brodsky Renehan Pearlstein & Bouquet, CHARTERED, brings over a decade of experience since joining the firm in 2006. Licensed in Maryland, she is actively involved in bar association committees and serves as a certified attorney for children, trustee, and mediator. Her background includes internships and clerkships with Montgomery County courts.
– Maureen Glackin, also a partner and founding member at Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC, is a Fellow of the AAML with a focus on domestic law, particularly for military families. She lectures on military pension issues, has testified as an expert witness, and is certified in mediation and collaborative law.
These presenters bring a wealth of knowledge, making the update a valuable resource for legal professionals and families alike.
Summary of 2025 Legislation
The 2025 legislation section outlines key bills affecting family law, effective October 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted:
– **Custody (HB 1191/SB 548)**: This bill enhances child custody determinations by requiring courts to consider specific factors and articulate findings on the record or in writing. It allows modifications to custody orders based on material changes, such as a parent’s relocation proposal that impacts physical custody, prioritizing the child’s best interests.
– **Marriage (HB 323/SB 286)**: This legislation updates domestic partnership and marriage filings with the Register of Wills, mandating the inclusion of birth dates and social security numbers while restricting public disclosure of the latter.
– **Child Support, Domestic Violence, Adoption, Real Estate, and Financial-Mortgages**: The document covers additional areas like child support adjustments, domestic violence protections, adoption processes, real estate considerations, and mortgage-related financial issues, though specific details are truncated beyond page 9.
– **2025 New Maryland Rules and Proposed Rule Changes**: New rules and a proposed remand to the Rules Committee are noted, indicating ongoing refinements to legal procedures.
Case Law Developments (January 2024 – July 2025)
The case law section, spanning pages 13 to 48, reviews significant rulings across various family law domains:
– **Adoption, Guardianship, CINA, TPR (Pages 13-18)**: Cases like *In re: Estate of Schappell* and *In re M.Z.* address adoption, guardianship, and termination of parental rights (TPR), offering insights into child welfare proceedings.
– **Domestic Violence (Pages 18-23)**: Decisions such as *Charles v. Charles* and *Hripunovs v. Maximova* highlight evolving protections and legal standards in domestic violence cases.
– **Custody, Visitation, Paternity (Pages 23-27)**: Cases like *Bajaj v. Bajaj* and *McMorrow v. King* provide guidance on custody, visitation, and paternity disputes.
– **Child Support (Pages 27-33)**: Rulings in *Houser v. Houser* and *Matter of Marriage of Houser* address support modifications and calculations.
– **Monetary Award (Pages 33-35)**: Cases such as *Smith v. Smith* and *Sims v. Sims* clarify monetary award distributions in divorce proceedings.
– **Contempt (Pages 35-40)**: *Trusted Science and Technology Inc. v. Evancich* and *Sayed A. v. Susan A.* explore contempt issues in family law enforcement.
– **Attorney’s Fees (Pages 40-42)**: *George v. Bimbra* and *Johnson v. Spireon* address fee awards in legal disputes.
– **Agreements (Pages 42-48)**: *Matter of Batchelor* and *Matter of Bodhi Sico Becker* delve into the enforceability of family law agreements.
– **Miscellaneous (Pages 48-56)**: Cases like *AGC v. Donnelly* and *Shapiro v. Hyperheal Hyperbarics, Inc.* cover diverse legal issues, including attorney discipline and business disputes.
Notably, no significant developments were reported in marriage grounds for divorce, annulment, alimony, or appeals.
Why This Matters to You
These legislative and case law updates reflect Maryland’s ongoing efforts to refine family law to better serve its citizens. Whether you’re navigating a custody battle, seeking protection from domestic violence, or addressing financial settlements, staying informed about these changes is crucial. The expertise of presenters like Reinstein, Sweren, and Glackin underscores the importance of professional guidance in these complex matters.
If you’re facing a family law issue and need expert advice tailored to the latest legal developments, contact Blattner Family Law today at (410) 517-7950. Our experienced team is here to help you through every step of the process.