The Changing American Family

1/3/17

By Linda Ostovitz, Esq., Offit Kurman, Attorney At Law

Divorce is tough on most families, but a U.S. Gallup Values and Beliefs poll conducted in 2013, shows divorce is growing in moral acceptability. The new finding by Gallup indicates that the acceptance of divorce jumped 9% (from 59% to 68%) since the poll was last conducted on the subject in 2001. In fact, the composition of the modern American family has changed in several ways.

What is “traditional” depends on the family. Today it can mean mom, dad, and children; single parent; adopted children; same-sex parents; married; unmarried. As the definition of family evolves, so do the legal issues. Divorce laws and application thereof probably will continue to have broad applications. Custody and access issues are greatly impacted in the same-sex arena as we may have both parents adopting, one parent adopting, one parent being the natural birth parent and many other scenarios.

As we continue to see the traditional family change, family law, child custody, and divorce will become more complicated. If you need help with any of these changes, consider contacting Linda Sorg Ostovitz at lostovitz@offitkurman.com or telephone (301) 575-0381.

ABOUT LINDA SORG OSTOVITZ

Linda Ostovitz

Linda Sorg Ostovitz is a family law attorney. Her legal experience spans more than 34 years. In this time, she has served as a leader, educator and advocate. Mrs. Ostovitz holds a prestigious fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Currently, she serves as President for the Business Women’s Network of Howard County, by which she was chosen Woman of Distinction for 2014. Mrs. Ostovitz represents clients in Howard, Anne Arundel, Carroll and Baltimore Counties. Her practice focuses exclusively on divorce litigation and mediation, child custody and access, child support, alimony, business valuation, as well as property and asset distribution. In addition to providing legal representation in court, Mrs. Ostovitz provides mediation services to help families come to a fair and legally-sound conclusion outside of the traditional court proceedings.

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 130 attorneys offering a comprehensive range of services in virtually every legal category, the firm is well positioned to meet the needs of dynamic businesses and the people who own and operate them. Our ten offices serve individual and corporate clients in the Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Northern Virginia markets, as well as the Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City metropolitan areas. At Offit Kurman, we are our clients’ most trusted legal advisors, professionals who help maximize and protect business value and personal wealth. In every interaction, we consistently maintain our clients’ confidence by remaining focused on furthering their objectives and achieving their goals in an efficient manner. Trust, knowledge, confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.

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