Lanham Family Law Attorney
Federal careers and international family ties bring distinct considerations to divorce and custody matters—retirement asset division, cross-border custody concerns, and the intersection of Maryland family law with immigration status. At the Law Offices of Tina Sharma, we provide experienced, compassionate representation to families throughout Lanham and Prince George’s County. With over 50 years of combined legal experience across our team, we help NASA contractor families, federal employees, and international households navigate Maryland’s family law system while protecting complex financial interests and immigration status.
The Law Offices of Tina Sharma has served Maryland families since 2007, providing dedicated representation in divorce, child custody, child support, and all aspects of family law. We’re admitted to practice in Maryland and Washington, D.C. and have extensive experience in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro.
What sets our law practice apart is our commitment to exceptional client communication. You’ll receive weekly case updates throughout your legal matter and hearing summaries within 24 hours of any court appearance. We offer flexible meeting options—whether you prefer in-person consultations at our Silver Spring office or virtual meetings via Zoom—because we understand that Lanham clients deserve convenient access to their legal team. Our dual expertise in family law and immigration law makes us uniquely qualified to serve Lanham’s diverse federal workforce and international community.
Our experienced attorneys guide Lanham clients through every aspect of divorce, from initial separation through final decree. Whether you’re seeking an uncontested mutual consent divorce or facing contested litigation involving marital property division and alimony, we tailor our legal strategy to protect your interests and help you move forward with confidence.
We handle straightforward separations and complex divorces involving federal retirement systems, NASA contractor compensation packages, and international families with ties to West Africa, the Caribbean, and other global communities. Lanham divorces frequently require coordination between family law and immigration law, particularly when analyzing FERS pensions, TSP accounts, or addressing custody concerns involving potential international relocation.
Protecting your children’s best interests while preserving your legal rights as a parent is our priority in every child custody case. We help Lanham families create sustainable parenting plans that promote cooperation and minimize conflict, addressing custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority.
Whether you’re seeking alimony or facing a support claim, we help Lanham clients pursue fair outcomes based on the factors Maryland courts consider: length of marriage, financial circumstances, contributions to the marriage, and ability to become self-supporting. We handle temporary support during separation, rehabilitative alimony, and long-term support arrangements.
Maryland follows equitable distribution principles for marital property, which means fair division rather than equal splits. Our experienced attorneys help Lanham clients navigate property division involving real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, investment portfolios, and debt allocation. We work to protect the wealth you brought into the marriage while ensuring fair treatment of assets accumulated during the marriage.
Prenuptial agreements aren’t just for the wealthy—they’re practical instruments that couples throughout Lanham use to establish clear expectations about finances during marriage and in the event of divorce. We draft enforceable agreements that identify separate property, address marital property division, and clarify spousal support arrangements.
Building your family through adoption is one of life’s most meaningful journeys. Attorney Tina Sharma, an adoptive parent herself, brings personal understanding and comprehensive legal expertise to every adoption case. We guide Lanham families through traditional adoptions, stepparent adoptions, relative adoptions, and LGBTQ+ adoptions, ensuring secure legal bonds between parents and children.
Lanham’s federal workforce and international communities face family law issues that intersect with employment, retirement, and immigration. We combine deep knowledge of Maryland family law with immigration-law fluency to coordinate strategy across both domains—protecting FERS pensions, TSP accounts, NASA contractor compensation, and the immigration status of clients with ties to West Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.
If you’re experiencing domestic violence, we provide immediate, discreet legal assistance to secure your safety. Our attorneys act quickly to obtain peace orders and final protective orders in Prince George’s County and throughout Maryland. We understand the urgent nature of domestic violence matters and prioritize your protection.
Life circumstances change, and Maryland family law allows modification of existing court orders when substantial changes occur. We assist Lanham clients with custody modifications, child support adjustments, and visitation schedule changes based on factors like job changes, relocation, children’s evolving needs, or changes in parental circumstances.
You'll schedule an initial consultation by calling our office or submitting a form through our website. During this Strategy Session, we discuss your unique circumstances, answer your legal questions, and explain your options under Maryland family law.
Once retained, our legal team conducts a thorough review of all relevant documents and identifies key legal challenges in your family law matter. We gather necessary information to build a comprehensive understanding of your situation.
Throughout your case you’ll receive weekly updates and hearing summaries within 24 hours of every court appearance. We pursue the best possible resolution while keeping you fully informed and empowered.
We develop a customized legal strategy aligned with your specific goals, whether that involves negotiation, mediation, collaborative divorce processes, or courtroom litigation. You'll understand the approach and timeline before we proceed.
Throughout your case, you'll receive weekly updates and hearing summaries within 24 hours of court appearances. We pursue the best possible resolution while keeping you informed and empowered throughout the legal process.
Even after your case concludes, our team remains available to assist with implementation, modifications, or new matters as life evolves. Continuity matters—and so does the relationship we build with you.
Lanham families face unique family law concerns that require well-informed legal representation. From NASA Goddard contractor compensation to international custody jurisdiction, understanding these challenges helps you protect your legal rights and pursue favorable outcomes.
| Challenge | What It Looks Like | How We Help |
|---|---|---|
| NASA Goddard Contractor Compensation | Lanham divorces involving NASA contractors include complex compensation packages with stock options, restricted stock units, performance bonuses, and clearance-dependent employment that require sophisticated financial analysis for property division and support calculations. | We work with financial experts to value contractor equity compensation accurately, distinguish vested from unvested portions, determine marital shares of stock-based pay, and calculate support based on comprehensive income assessment. |
| International Custody Jurisdiction | Lanham’s Nigerian-American, Caribbean-American, and other international communities face custody disputes when one parent wants to relocate children to their country of origin, raising Hague Convention concerns, passport control issues, and UCCJEA jurisdiction questions. | We address international custody jurisdiction under Maryland law and the UCCJEA, pursue passport safeguards to prevent unauthorized international relocation, and litigate relocation cases to protect children’s ties to their Maryland community. |
| Federal Retirement Division | Divorces involving federal employees working at NASA Goddard, Census Bureau, or other agencies require division of FERS pensions and Thrift Savings Plan accounts using specialized court orders that comply with federal retirement regulations. | We prepare Qualified Domestic Relations Orders that comply with the Office of Personnel Management’s requirements, calculate the marital portion of federal retirement benefits using time-rule formulas, and ensure fair division of TSP and FERS assets. |
| Church and Community Mediation | Lanham’s strong religious communities sometimes involve church leaders in marital disputes, and families may pursue religious mediation or arbitration before or alongside legal proceedings, requiring attorneys who respect faith-based conflict resolution. | We respect religious and community values while protecting your legal rights, coordinate with faith leaders when appropriate, and ensure that any religious agreements are properly formalized through Maryland courts to be legally enforceable. |
| Foreign Divorce Recognition | International families in Lanham sometimes have divorce decrees from Nigeria, Caribbean nations, or other countries that require recognition in Maryland courts, or face questions about whether a foreign divorce is valid under Maryland law. | We analyze foreign divorce decrees for validity under Maryland law, pursue registration of foreign orders when appropriate, and address jurisdiction issues when one party disputes a foreign divorce’s effectiveness in the United States. |
| Small Business and Entrepreneurship | Prince George’s County divorces involving small business owners—consulting firms, retail operations, service businesses—require accurate business valuation and careful analysis distinguishing business income from personal compensation for support calculations. | Our team engages business valuation experts, analyzes cash flow and business assets thoroughly, distinguishes legitimate business expenses from personal spending, and structures equitable settlements that protect your entrepreneurial investments. |
We serve families throughout Prince George’s County and surrounding Maryland communities, providing convenient access to experienced family law representation. Our familiarity with Prince George’s County courts helps us navigate your case effectively.
We Serve:
Bowie, MD
Glenn Dale, MD
Greenbelt, MD
Landover, MD
Largo, MD
Mitchellville, MD
New Carrollton, MD
Prince George’s County, MD
Seabrook, MD
Upper Marlboro, MD
Family law attorney fees in Lanham vary based on case complexity, whether your matter is contested or uncontested, and the time required for resolution. Simple uncontested divorces typically cost less than complex cases involving federal retirement division or international custody issues. During your initial Strategy Session, we discuss all fees upfront and provide flexible payment plan options to ensure transparency and accessibility.
We provide weekly case updates and hearing summaries within 24 hours of court appearances—communication protocols that keep you informed throughout your legal matter. Our dual expertise in family law and immigration law is essential for Lanham's international community, allowing us to coordinate divorce proceedings with immigration concerns and international custody issues. Our experience with federal employee divorces gives us specialized knowledge of FERS and TSP division that many family law practices lack.
Federal retirement benefits including FERS pensions and Thrift Savings Plan accounts are marital property subject to equitable distribution in Maryland divorce. The marital portion depends on how many years of federal service occurred during the marriage. We prepare court orders that comply with the Office of Personnel Management's requirements for FERS division and TSP transfer procedures. Division typically uses time-rule formulas: (years of marriage during federal service) ÷ (total years of federal service) × (total benefit) × (court-ordered percentage, often 50%).
International relocation cases require court approval under Maryland law. A parent seeking to relocate children internationally must provide 90 days' notice and file a relocation petition. Prince George's County courts consider factors including the reason for relocation, the impact on the other parent's relationship with the children, educational opportunities, and the children's best interests. We pursue passport safeguards, address Hague Convention concerns for treaty countries, and litigate to prevent unauthorized international relocation when protecting the children's Maryland connections serves their interests.
Foreign divorce decrees can be recognized in Maryland if the foreign court had proper jurisdiction and both parties received adequate notice and opportunity to participate. Maryland courts examine whether the foreign divorce meets fundamental fairness requirements. If one party disputes a foreign divorce's validity, Maryland courts must determine whether to recognize it. We analyze foreign divorce documentation, pursue registration when appropriate, and litigate recognition disputes when necessary.
The best approach depends on your specific circumstances, including whether you and your spouse can communicate cooperatively, the complexity of your marital property, and custody concerns. Mediation works well when both parties are committed to negotiation and willing to compromise, often resulting in a faster, less expensive resolution. Litigation becomes necessary when significant disputes exist or when protecting your interests requires court intervention. We help you evaluate which path serves your situation.
Uncontested mutual consent divorces in Maryland can be finalized relatively quickly once both parties sign a settlement agreement addressing all marital property, custody, and support issues. Contested divorces involving litigation in Prince George's County Circuit Court typically take longer, with timelines affected by court schedules, discovery needs, and negotiation progress. Maryland law also requires specific separation periods before filing for divorce. We provide realistic timeline estimates during your initial consultation.
Stock options and restricted stock units granted to NASA contractors during the marriage are marital property subject to equitable distribution. The analysis becomes complex when options vest over time or when determining how much of the grant relates to past service versus future performance. We work with financial experts to value unvested options appropriately, determine the marital portion based on grant dates and vesting schedules, and structure division that accounts for tax consequences when options are exercised.
Maryland courts determine custody based on the best interests of the children, considering factors including each parent's fitness, the child's age and health, parents' ability to maintain stable environments, the child's relationship with each parent, willingness to share custody, and the child's preference when age-appropriate. Prior history of domestic violence or substance abuse also affects custody decisions. Our experienced attorneys present compelling evidence addressing these factors in Prince George's County courts.
Bring any relevant court documents, separation agreements, custody orders, financial records showing income and assets, and a list of your legal questions and concerns. For divorce consultations, documentation of marital property, debts, and children's expenses helps us provide comprehensive guidance. Federal employees should bring TSP statements, FERS pension estimates, and Leave and Earnings Statements. NASA contractors should bring equity compensation agreements and stock option documentation. International families should bring passport documentation and any foreign court orders. If you're seeking protective orders, bring any evidence of domestic violence.