JGL Law For You

Can anyone walk into a Maryland courthouse and read the details of your divorce? In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, David Bulitt and family law attorney Christopher Castellano break down Maryland’s new divorce privacy law, which takes effect October 1, 2026. Until now, anyone could ask to see the complaint, answers, and other filings in a divorce case. Under the new statute, the public can see little more than the fact that a case exists and the final judgment of absolute divorce.

David and Chris explain what the law does and does not change, including why Maryland Judiciary Case Search will still show a case’s docket; why your spouse, the attorneys, and the judge will still see everything you file; and how the statute fits with the existing rules on restricted information in court filings. They also draw an important line between privacy and secrecy and explain why the new law is no reason to be less careful about what you put in a filing.

For anyone who has put off filing for divorce because they don’t want to air their dirty laundry, whether over allegations of abuse or adultery or because they run a business and don’t want customers finding their case records, this episode offers a clear look at what will stay private, what won’t, and why any concern about sensitive information is worth raising with your lawyer early.

In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, David Bulitt and family law attorney Christopher Castellano explore how Facebook posts, Instagram reels, videos, jokes, comments, and even seemingly harmless online venting can take on an entirely different meaning inside a custody dispute.

Using the highly publicized Lindsay Clancy trial as a backdrop, they break down how social media can be introduced as evidence, how a sarcastic or out-of-context post can take on a very different meaning in court, and how a single post can raise questions about judgment, parental fitness, credibility, or a parent’s ability to put their children first.

Listeners will also hear practical guidance for navigating social media before and during family law litigation, including why you should never litigate your case online, why angry posts about a co-parent can come back to haunt you, and the simple test Chris recommends before you post: Would you be comfortable explaining it to a judge?

What happens when one spouse puts their career on hold for the good of the family? In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, David Bulitt and family law attorney Christopher Castellano discuss how thoughtfully crafted prenuptial agreements can help protect a spouse who leaves the workforce, reduces their hours to care for children, or relocates to support a partner's career.

David and Chris explore the often-overlooked financial impact of career sacrifices and explain how provisions addressing retirement contributions, alimony, life insurance, and career re-entry support can provide greater financial security, fairness, and peace of mind for both spouses.

In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, David Bulitt continues his conversation with family law attorney Christopher Castellano about the hidden costs of delaying divorce. This second part turns to some of the most personal and practical consequences of waiting too long to move forward, especially when children are involved.

David and Chris discuss how informal custody arrangements can quietly become the “status quo,” why temporary financial support decisions may later shape child support or alimony expectations, and how prolonged conflict can increase emotional strain for both parents and children. They also explore the strategic risks of delay, from stale evidence and harder-to-access financial records to resentment that can make settlement more difficult.

The conversation also looks at the other side of the issue: when delay may actually be useful, particularly for a financially disadvantaged spouse or when an informal arrangement is working in your favor. For anyone considering separation or divorce, this episode is a practical reminder that waiting is not always neutral, and that getting legal guidance early can help you understand the risks before temporary decisions become long-term consequences.

When someone is considering divorce, waiting can feel like the safer choice. Maybe things will get better. Maybe the timing will be easier. Maybe staying together will protect the kids, the finances, or the family home. But delaying the decision can come with real consequences.

In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, David Bulitt sits down with family law attorney Christopher Castellano to discuss the often-overlooked emotional, financial, and strategic costs of putting off divorce. From rising expenses and changing home values to disappearing financial records, hidden accounts, and the toll of living in ongoing uncertainty, they discuss why “waiting it out” may not always protect you the way you hope.

This is part one of an important conversation for anyone who is thinking about separation or divorce. The takeaway: you do not have to be ready to file for divorce to get informed. Sometimes, the most important first step is simply understanding your options.

What actually happens once you file for divorce in Maryland? In Part 2 of this practical, plain-English series, David Bulitt and Christopher Castellano walk you step-by-step through the real mechanics of a divorce case: from jurisdiction and venue to temporary (pendente lite) support, custody hearings, discovery, settlement options, and final judgment.

You’ll learn what courts actually look at when deciding custody, how equitable distribution works in Maryland (and why it’s not automatically 50/50), what happens if someone hides assets, and why most cases settle before trial. The episode closes with critical post-divorce to-dos and practical advice that can save you time, money, and stress. If you’re navigating divorce in Maryland, this episode offers the clarity you need before taking your next step.

If you missed the first episode in this series, Maryland Divorce Basics: Costs, Emotions and New Legal Grounds Explained (Part 1), you can catch up by listening to the episode.

Family law partners David Bulitt and Christopher Castellano take a wide-angle look at what divorce in Maryland really involves—from the emotional rollercoaster to the real-world financial impact. They talk openly about why divorce is often compared to a death in the family, how clients sometimes (without realizing it) drive up their own legal costs, and practical ways to stay informed without over-analyzing every single email or court filing.

David and Chris also discuss Maryland’s newer, streamlined grounds for divorce—mutual consent, six-month separation, and irreconcilable differences—and show how classic “fault” issues such as adultery, abuse, and financial misconduct are still relevant in custody, alimony, and property decisions even though they’re no longer formal grounds for divorce.

The discussion is a clear, plain-language overview designed to help you understand the road ahead before diving into the litigation side of divorce in Part 2.