Our law firm is uniquely qualified to design estate plans that help families build, manage, and protect wealth for their own enjoyment and for future generations.
Our experienced team handles a variety of divorce-related issues, such as defending or seeking alimony, child support, and the division of marital property.
In addition to divorce law, we also take pride in offering family law services such as mother’s and father’s rights, child custody, paternity, and protective orders. We strive to help families reach an amicable solution when possible.
People marry assuming their relationships will endure, but not all unions last forever. If you and your spouse recognize that you should build your futures apart from one another, consult our experienced, local family attorney.
Setting clear expectations and planning the separation can ease the stress inherent in any divorce. An Upper Marlboro divorce lawyer from our firm can advise you every step of the way and ensure your divorce leaves you well-situated to move forward with the rest of your life.
Carmiece T. Graves, a native of New York City, embarked on a remarkable journey to becoming a distinguished attorney in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Her life’s path traversed through various corners of the United States that shaped her experiences and influenced her commitment to community and service.
During Carmiece’s adolescence, she lived in a variety of places, such as Hawaii, Georgia, and Kansas, before returning to Brooklyn, New York, where she attended high school. During these years, Carmiece wasn’t just academically inclined; she also displayed her talents as an alto saxophonist, a track and field athlete, a cheerleader, and a dance performer, which showcased her versatility and drive.
Her journey continued into higher education at the State University of New York at Oswego, where Carmiece immersed herself in academic and leadership roles. She demonstrated her financial acumen and leadership abilities as Treasurer and later President of the Accounting Society. Additionally, her dedication to academic excellence was evident through her role as a math tutor and her historic appointment as the First Black Assistant Director of Finance for Student Affairs.
Carmiece’s commitment to fostering unity and empowerment among women of color was evident in her cofounding of the Young Enlightened Sistas organization. Her leadership and dedication to revitalizing minority student organizations earned her recognition as the First Queen of the Black Student Union and left a lasting impact on the campus community.
After graduating with honors and B.S. in Accounting, Carmiece embarked on a career that seamlessly blended her financial expertise with her passion for advocacy. She initially worked as an auditor for Ernst & Young, LLP, before transitioning to nonprofit leadership as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Helping Children Work, Inc. Her journey eventually led her to Howard University’s School of Law, where she excelled academically and served as a Senior Editor of the Howard Law Journal.
Upon graduating from Howard Law at the top of her class, Carmiece’s legal career soared as she entered the realm of mergers and acquisitions. Her commitment to pro bono estate planning services underscored her dedication to serving her community. In 2009, she was appointed as a Senior Advisor for the Department of Interior under President Barack Obama’s administration, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in law and public service.
In 2012, Carmiece established the Law Offices of Carmiece T. Graves, PLLC, where she continues to specialize in estate planning and family law, serving the Prince George’s County community with integrity and expertise. Admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and federal courts for Maryland, DC, and the U.S. Supreme Court, Carmiece’s legal prowess is matched only by her commitment to community engagement and service.
As a distinguished Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. member, Carmiece remains actively involved in legal advocacy and community service. Her leadership roles within the sorority’s North Atlantic Region and Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter underscore her ongoing commitment to empowering others and effecting positive change within her community. Through her dedication to law, service, and leadership, Carmiece T. Graves continues to make an indelible mark on both the legal profession and the communities she serves.
Listen and learn as Carmiece takes on problem spouses, busts myths about estate planning, and shows you how to balance love and money while protecting your rights. Stream anytime on the Carmiece Graves Law Channel.
Divorce dissolves the legal ties between spouses. It also requires that they disentangle their financial lives. If the couple has children, Maryland Court Rule 9.204.1 requires them to establish a plan for the children’s financial support and a means of encouraging the children’s continuing relationship with both parents.
Maryland is an equitable distribution state, which means that if the judge must divide the marital property, they will do so equitably. An equitable division is not necessarily a 50/50 split; the court will consider all the relevant factors to reach a fair resolution. If the couple has a valid marital agreement describing property distribution, the court will honor it.
Either spouse could seek ongoing financial support from the other. If a spouse demonstrates a need for ongoing support, a court might award post-divorce alimony for a period sufficient to allow them to gain the skills necessary to be self-supporting. In some cases, when a marriage was lengthy or the spouse has a physical or mental health issue preventing them from being self-supporting, a court may award indefinite alimony.
When children are involved, a separating couple must agree on child support and custody issues before a court will grant a final divorce. A formula determines the amount of child support a parent must pay. This formula is based on factors including each parent’s income, work-related childcare expenses, children’s health insurance costs, and how much time the children spend in each parent’s home.
They must document these decisions in a parenting plan the court must approve. A parenting plan will specify the following:
Parents can choose a joint custody arrangement, allowing the children to spend at least 127 nights annually in each parent’s home.
If the couple cannot agree on a parenting plan, a court will typically order mediation. If mediation and other attempts at negotiation fail, a court will determine a custody and visitation arrangement that the judge believes is in the children’s best interests. Regardless of the issue you are facing in your divorce, an Upper Marlboro attorney from our firm can help.
We guide you through the divorce process. Even if your divorce is an amicable one, it’s important to have your own attorney to ensure that you’re represented and that your voice is heard through each phase of the divorce proceeding.
The prospect of divorce can be terrifying for men, especially financially. If you have kids, you worry not only about having time with them, but also maintaining the resources to support them. So much is unknown. The future may seem like a big black hole. Proudly serving Largo, Upper Marlboro, and beyond, we can help you see the light and begin a new chapter.
There is light on the other side. You just need a guide to help you find your way through. At the Carmiece Graves Law Firm, we focus on men’s divorce and fathers’ rights so that you can move forward to your best future.
The experienced family law team at the Carmiece Graves Law Firm knows how to protect your assets and your family interests. With our unique comprehension of complex financial issues, we understand what to do—and what to avoid doing—to reach the best outcome for all our clients.
While we offer clients a singular expertise when it comes to financial matters, we also realize that family law issues strike an emotional nerve for everyone involved. You can’t simply crunch the numbers and expect to achieve a solution that works.
Instead, we approach each case from a fresh perspective and learn all about the issues and the people involved. Only then can we properly formulate a strategy to achieve your goals.
All marriages are different, and that means you can’t take the same approach to every divorce. Depending on the situation, we can work to resolve issues through mediation or collaboration, where both parties compromise to develop terms that meet both of their needs. Where cooperation is not practical, we are ready to fight to achieve your objectives through litigation.
In many instances, fathers need to take affirmative action to assert their right to be with their children. We understand what’s at stake, and we know the right steps to preserve your treasured family relationships and to enable you to be an active part of your child’s future.
Despite what statutes say or judge’s profess, fathers still often have to overcome a prejudice in favor of mothers when it comes to custody decisions. We work hard to achieve the right balance of parenting time for your family and to give you a say in the life of your children.
The impact of support payments plays a critical role in your future. We strive to ensure that all relevant factors are accounted for to develop a support arrangement that you can live with.
Circumstances change, sometimes overnight. When a change in job or other life factor requires a change in support, custody, visitation, or other terms of your divorce, we are ready to get the legal modifications you need.
When one partner runs a business or couples own complex assets that can be challenging to divide, it can be hard to avoid substantial delays in the divorce process or a situation where one partner receives substantially less than they are entitled to. Our outstanding comprehension of intricate financial matters enables us to find the right solutions without unnecessary delays.
Alimony and maintenance payments involve issues that are emotional as well as financial. We know how to ensure that the court knows the important details of your situation so that the outcome is fair and reasonable.
Everyone who files for divorce must cite a legally valid reason, or “ground,” explaining why the judge should terminate the marriage. Many couples are concerned about the impact a high-conflict or drawn-out process might have on their children or seek to avoid blaming one another for the end of their marriage. Such couples often cite no-fault grounds when they divorce. Maryland Family Law Code § 7-103 offers only two no-fault grounds: mutual consent or separation for at least a year. For couples divorcing in or around Upper Marlboro, our dedicated attorney can help you determine what the best option is for your specific situation
If the couple has written agreements regarding property division and spousal support, (as well as an acceptable parenting plan if they have children), they could file for divorce by mutual consent. The spouses file citing mutual consent as their grounds and submit their agreements for court review. If the court approves the agreements, the couple could have a final divorce decree within 60 to 90 days.
If a couple has lived separately and not had sexual relations for at least one year, they could seek a separation-based divorce. Separation is the only no-fault ground available if the couple does not agree about all relevant issues they must settle before divorcing. Any reconciliation between the spouses, even if only one night, starts the one-year requirement over again.
Many couples do not qualify for a mutual consent divorce because they have not agreed on the relevant issues, but they do not want to separate for one year before divorcing. Such couples could seek a fault-based divorce or choose a limited divorce.
Fault-based divorces require the spouse petitioning for divorce to prove the other spouse committed misconduct that is grounds for terminating the marriage. It is important to note that the spouse alleging the misconduct must present evidence to prove it. Courts recognize the following fault-based grounds:
Sometimes spouses choose the option of limited divorce, which is like a legal separation. A limited divorce does not permanently end the marriage; the spouses have the ability to reconcile without remarrying. An Upper Marlboro attorney could explain whether a limited divorce might be a desirable option in a specific circumstance.
Divorce is a complex and stressful process, even when both of you are on the same page. Guidance from an experienced attorney is critical.
An Upper Marlboro divorce lawyer will take the time to understand your goals and help you manage your divorce as smoothly as possible. Call Carmiece Graves Law to get started.
