In Maryland, a pendente lite hearing (“PL hearing”) is a hearing that takes place while a divorce or child custody action is still in the process of litigation. The purpose of this hearing is to provide a temporary order before the final hearing takes place.

When a PL hearing is requested by either one or both parties, the court may order a hearing on the next available court date. This request can either be made in writing or orally and is usually made at the parties’ Scheduling Conference. The court will also set time limits for the hearing which usually is up to three (3) hours. The hearing can take into consideration issues like child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, and attorney’s fees. The purpose of this hearing is to maintain status quo and provide some immediate stability while the parties await their final trial.

At the PL hearing, the parties can each testify and call their own witnesses. They can also present evidence that will help substantiate their claims. To obtain more information about what a PL order means and how it may impact your case, please call us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to answer all of your questions.

Yes, you can be awarded alimony in Maryland if you meet certain factors. First, it’s important to know that that there are three forms of alimony that a judge award. The first is temporary alimony which is awarded during the divorce process which ensures that the party requesting it can financially support themselves during the divorce case. The second is rehabilitative alimony which is awarded post-divorce and usually for a short period of time. It allows the party requesting it to renter the workforce or to complete their education to get a higher paying job so that they can become self-sufficient. The third is indefinite alimony which is awarded to a party when they are unable to work due their age or disability, or due to their lifestyle when they were married to their partner.

Alimony must be requested before the final trial and, if waived, the parties cannot come back to court and ask for it later. It also can be modifiable depending on the parties’ financial situation or income. The amount of alimony to be paid will be decided by the judge hearing the case after consider a variety of factors. If you have questions about alimony, please call us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to answer all of your questions.