Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Rockville, Maryland family law lawyers represented the parties in divorce.

The parties were married on August 18, 2001. At the time of the trial in 2023, Wife was 55 years old, and Husband was 57 years old.

Four children were born as a result of the marriage. At the time of the trial, the oldest child (born in 2003) was a college student. The second child was born in 2005, the third in 2007, and the fourth in 2009.

The parties separated on January 20, 2022. On February 18, 2022, Wife filed for divorce. On April 19, 2022, Husband filed a counterclaim for divorce.

In their respective pleadings, each party asked the court to determine custody, classify and value marital property, enter a monetary award, and grant attorney's fees. Wife requested alimony and the use and possession of the family home.

On November 22, 2022, the parties entered into a consent custody order, which resolved the issues of legal custody and parenting time with the parties' minor children. Under that consent order, Wife has about 71 percent of the parenting time.

The trial took place over three days. The court heard testimony from the parties. The court also heard testimony from Wife's father.

At trial, Husband disputed Wife's claim for alimony. Both parties disputed the classification and division of marital property as it related to Wife's request for a monetary award.

Based on the evidence, which we discuss in greater detail below, the court issued an oral opinion on August 22, 2023. After receiving counsel's memoranda on additional issues, the court entered the judgment of absolute divorce on November 14, 2023.

In the judgment, the court classified, valued, and distributed marital property, and awarded child support to Wife. In addition, the court granted Wife's request for alimony of $2,500.00 per month for seven years, when she will become eligible for social security benefits; a monetary award in the amount of $161,299.22, equaling half of what the court found to be the equity in one item of marital property; and $30,000.00 in attorneys' fees, payable in three installments of $10,000.00, over three years.

Outcome: Affirmed in part and vacated in part.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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