- DivorceUnder Maryland family laws, there is more than one way to get divorced. One of the ways is through divorce mediation. Divorce mediation allows couples to work out their differences collaboratively and make decisions about their lives moving forward. Although no divorce is easy, a mediated divorce can be beneficial for many reasons.
- Child SupportParents must consider not only how divorce affects them, but also how it affects their children — both emotionally and financially. Law Offices of Tina Sharma is experienced in all family law matters. We help you obtain a fair and reasonable child support arrangement that allows you to raise your child in a safe and healthy environment.
- Child Custody and VisitationDuring a divorce involving children, who retains custody can be a contentious issue. Divorcing spouses always want what is best for their children. However, emotions sometimes get in the way and cloud the judgment of the parties involved. If you are facing a divorce and have children, you need a skilled family law attorney in your corner that has particular experience with child custody issues.
- AdoptionBecause there is usually only one jurisdiction involved, local family court adoptions are the simplest and easiest to complete. To be eligible, you must be 21 years of age or older, have sufficient financial resources, and complete a home study that includes an extensive background check. In the District of Columbia, you are also required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of training. The overall domestic adoption process can take anywhere from several months to a year or longer to complete. This depends largely on the type of adoption you are doing. For example, if you are going through an agency, you may have an extended waiting period to be matched with a child. On the other hand, if you already know the child you want to adopt (as with a relative adoption, stepparent adoption, or independent “direct placement†adoption), the process can be faster.
- PaternityMatters of paternity can be especially contentious. If you are a mother, you deserve to receive child support from your child's father. If you are a father, you deserve to see your child and be involved in their life. We are here to help with all paternity issues.
- Premarital AgreementAt Law Offices of Tina Sharma, we have several years of experience with prenuptial agreements, divorce and other family law issues in Washington, D.C. and surrounding communities. We have in-depth knowledge of the issues that should be addressed in a premarital agreement, and we work closely with our clients to craft a document that is enforceable and fully protects your interests. We understand that each circumstance is unique, and we take the time to thoroughly assess your needs and craft an agreement that effectively accomplishes your goals.
- GuardianshipGuardianship refers to the legal process that appoints someone to be in charge of a minor’s finances, personal decisions, or both. Often, guardianship is necessary after the parents of the minor pass away or are unable to effectively provide for the minor’s needs. Their inability might be due to disabling mental or physical injuries or other issues that keep them from properly caring for the child.
- Spousal SupportWhen one spouse provides most or all the income for a household, a divorce could leave the other in a desperate financial situation. To ease the burden on a wife or husband who might not be able to meet their financial needs on their own, alimony can be granted on a temporary or permanent basis. Serving clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C., the Law Offices of Tina Sharma in Silver Spring represents clients who are seeking spousal support and those being asked to pay it. In negotiations, mediation, and litigation. We deliver strong, knowledgeable counsel in pursuit of a favorable outcome.
- Legal SeparationLocated in Silver Spring, the Law Offices of Tina Sharma advocates for Maryland and Washington, D.C. spouses who are considering a legal separation. To schedule a meeting, please call 202-831-0382.
- AnnulmentAn annulment is not the same thing as a divorce. A divorce in Maryland requires that you have grounds for divorce, or a reason why basically that you're getting divorced. An annulment is filed when the marriage is considered void at its inception, meaning that there never really was a valid marriage.
- Criminal Defense
- Corporate LawYou might be relieved to know that there are steps you can take to protect your assets in a high net worth divorce. For example, suppose you co-own a business with your spouse. In that case, you could sign a shareholder agreement that details both parties' interests in the business during the divorce. Negotiating with your spouse can be another way to keep the assets you want if you are willing to let some go that your spouse might want.
- Citizenship and NaturalizationLaw Offices of Tina Sharma provides skilled assistance with citizenship and naturalization throughout the country including in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Virginia and Maryland; including the communities of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Annandale, Springfield, Herndon, Reston, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, College Park, Germantown, Frederick, Hyattsville, Bowie, Annapolis, Fairfax County, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
- Family ImmigrationIf you are a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident with relatives living in other countries, certain members of your family may qualify for a family-based immigrant visa. Family unification is an important goal for U.S. immigration law. However, there are restrictions on which family members you can petition and different preference categories for each qualified member. In addition, outside of the standard family-based green cards, there are other programs that apply to individuals from certain countries and/or under specific circumstances. To understand all your family-based immigration options, it is important to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.
- Employment ImmigrationForeign nationals who want to work in the United States typically require the sponsorship of an employer. U.S. immigration law allows a limited number of workers per year to qualify for employment-based immigration visas; depending on the category in which they are applying. Some foreign nationals may remain in the U.S. while their visas are being processed, while others must process their visas through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin. Either way, the process is complex and to ensure a positive outcome, it is important to work with a skilled immigration attorney.
- Green Cards
- Business ImmigrationBusiness and employment-based immigrant visa applications are highly complex and there are numerous potential pitfalls that can cause an application to be rejected. At Law Offices of Tina Sharma, we put our depth of experience in business immigration law to work to ensure that our clients are in a position to secure positive outcomes with their visa applications. Contact our office today at (202) 329-6556 for a personalized consultation.
- Student VisasAcademic Student (F-1) Visas:  Students who want to enroll in a full-time academic course of study and can show financial self-sufficiency during the time they will be in the U.S. can apply for an F-1 student visa. The course of study must meet certain criteria, and spouses and children may accompany the applicant by applying for an F-2 visa. There is also an F-3 category designated specifically for foreign students from Canada and Mexico.
- Work VisasImmigration and work visas are complex topics that can be difficult to understand. However, a misunderstanding can lead to severe consequences if you are trying to enter the U.S. temporarily for work. It’s in your best interest to meet with an experienced immigration attorney who can help you understand your options and choose the best one to fit your needs. Contact one today to find out more about which type of visa might be right for you.
- Investor Visas
- Estate PlanningAt the Law Offices of Tina Sharma, our Maryland wills attorney serves Silver Spring, Washington DC, Montgomery County, and areas throughout Maryland, offering comprehensive counsel and assistance for wills and estate planning.
- WillsNo matter what chapter of life you are in, it's always a good time to set up your will or check to make sure it's up to date. Doing this with the help of a Maryland wills attorney is in your best interest as well as your family members' best interests. You want to be sure that you aren't missing any provisions in your will, that it fully contains what you want to happen after your death, and that it abides by applicable federal and state laws. Learn more about how we can help with your wills and estate planning. Call the Law Offices of Tina Sharma today by phone at 202-875-7462 or use our online contact form.
- Power of AttorneyGuardianship is similar to a power of attorney, as the appointed individuals have similar duties and responsibilities. However, powers of attorney do not require court intervention, and this type of document can only be implemented by an adult with proper capacity. If someone is not eligible to draft a power of attorney - or they simply did not do so - a guardianship case might be necessary if they cannot handle their own affairs due to disability or simply being a minor.
- Probate