Spring is right around the corner! We are looking forward to enjoying warmer days with our friends and family.

_{— Sandy and Cheryl}

Spotlight on Colleagues

Summer Abel is an associate in the firm’s Family Law practice group. She focuses her practice on divorce, custody and visitation, spousal and child support, property division, and division of retirement benefits. Ms. Abel is an experienced litigator with a proven history of dedication to clients, serving as both an advocate and a counselor through all stages of litigation. Outside of the courtroom, Ms. Abel is also skilled in mediation and other collaborative law solutions to resolve complex family law issues.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Ms. Abel is passionate about helping families of all shapes and sizes and understands that no one family is the same. Her personal and professional experience allows her to navigate the individual difficulties her clients face to reach an ideal outcome for their families.

To learn more about Summer, click here.

Why Should I get a Second Parent Adoption?

By Summer Abel

While many states have followed suit in adding protections for same-sex marriages and families after the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, there are still many uncertainties when it comes to family formation in the LGBTQ+ community. For example, in a recent case out of Oklahoma, a judge ruled that a married, non-biological mother has no parental rights to the child she and her wife created and were raising together, but the couple’s sperm donor does. In this case, the judge relied on Oklahoma’s parentage laws under the Uniform Parentage Act which predate same-sex marriage laws, meaning there was no presumption of parentage for the non-biological mom by virtue of the couple’s married status.

Continue reading here >>

So, You're Thinking about a Prenup Agreement?

By Cheryl Hepfer

More and more couples and considering entering into a prenuptial agreement before marriage. It’s often concerning that even the mention of exploring an agreement would be detrimental to the relationship. The parties are basically negotiating what would happen should there be a divorce, which can cause a great deal of stress, especially if the discussions are in close proximity to the wedding date. The divorce rate is generally understood to be 50%, no matter where the parties live, or what their social or economic status may be.

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A direct and compelling headline

This is us at the Washingtonian Top Lawyers Reception in Washington, DC on February 9th.

Gluten Free Banana Bread

3 - 4. Medium overripe bananas, mashed (1.5 cups)
1/3 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups gluten free flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. Salt

Mix the wet ingredients: banana, butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir into the wet mixture until completely combined. Pour batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour in a 350-degree oven until a tester comes out clean.

Serves 4

Sandra A. Brooks

sbrooks@offitkurman.com

240.507.1716

As a family law attorney, Sandra (Sandy) Brooks’ practice focuses on a wide range of aspects in regards to family law. She dedicates her time to assisting clients in domestic law matters including divorce, child custody and visitation, family mediation, spousal and child support, property division, and division of retirement benefits. Other matters that fall under her jurisdiction as a family law attorney include tax consequences of divorce, mediation, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, negotiating and drafting of separation agreements, domestic litigation, and post-judgment proceedings. Sandy is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Cheryl L. Hepfer

chepfer@offitkurman.com

240.507.1717

Cheryl Hepfer is a highly-regarded attorney who has practiced family law for more than 40 years. She has been rated by her peers and is listed in Best Lawyers in America and as a top lawyer in the Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine, and Super Lawyers. She is past president of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Her practice consists primarily of domestic litigation involving significant assets and business interests. She has a wealth of experience in complex cases involving significant assets and property distribution, alimony, child custody and access. She has significant experience representing owners of businesses and their spouses, and those with significant assets, and works with business valuation experts and forensic accountants to maximize the benefits to her clients.

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