How Can I Get A Collaborative Divorce?
Using the collaborative process to resolve a family law matter means more than simply behaving cooperatively. If you want to make thoughtful decisions about your family outside of court, with …
The Parent Is Part of the Child’s Environment
It has never made sense to me that a person can simultaneously claim to be acting in a child’s best interests while actively working to diminish the emotional well-being of …
How to Keep Your House Together and Your Spouse Out of My Office: Tips from a Divorce Lawyer, Part 2
After 34 years of shepherding people through divorce, some patterns about marriage have become clear. In my experience, divorces tend to fall into one of three broad categories: the people …
Gwynn E. Mak
Overview Gwynn Mak is a family law attorney who serves clients in Maryland, with a focus on custody, prenuptial agreements, and mediation. Detail-oriented and solutions-driven, Gwynn works closely with clients …
A Glass of Wine or a Real Concern? Navigating Alcohol Issues in Custody Cases
Concerns about alcohol use are common in custody cases, but it is not always clear whether there is an actual problem. In some cases, there is objective evidence of alcohol …
Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2027 Best Lawyers in America
Multiple lawyers from several Lerch, Early & Brewer practices recently were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027. Ten Lerch Early attorneys have been named to the Ones to Watch …
The Cost of Conflict
In my home, the worst four-letter word isn’t what you’d expect—it’s “hate.” My five-year-old will occasionally try to sneak it into conversation, usually about vegetables. “I hate carrots,” he’ll say, …
A Parent’s Guide to Smoother Custody Transitions
Transitions are tough for kids. Whether it’s the morning routine, school drop-off, leaving camp or daycare, or getting ready for bed, moving from one activity to the next can feel …
Financial Abuse During a Marriage: What D.C. Courts Actually Do About It
Your spouse controlled every dollar. You had to ask for grocery money. They ran up debt in your name without telling you. They kept you from working, or made sure …
Dating After Divorce: 5 Tips for Keeping the Peace with Your Ex
As a family law attorney, I often see former divorce clients back in my office when one of them starts dating again. What should be an exciting new chapter can …
Balkis Awan
Overview Balkis Awan is a family law attorney who represents clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C., with a focus on custody and protective order cases. Naturally curious about people and …
Does Equitable Mean Equal in Divorce?
In Maryland and the District of Columbia, when people are getting divorced, the law provides for the “equitable” distribution of their marital property. Statutes in both states provide a list …
