Mr. J. Edgie Russell

I have have lived and practiced in Frederick Maryland for over thirty years. Family Law is the primary focus of my practice. I have tried cases in the Circuit Court and District Court, as well as arguing cases before the Maryland Court of Appeals and Maryland Court of Special Appeals.I am a Court appointed mediator for divorce and custody cases and I am trained in Collaborative Law.

Suffolk University Law School

J.D. (1979)

1976 - 1979

Kenyon College

B.A.

1972 - 1976

Member Family Law Section Md. Bar Assoc., Former President Frederick County Bar Assoc.Family Law Seciton

Md. State Bar Assoc., Frederick Co. Bar Assoc.

Current

Court Appointed Mediator

Mediator

2000 - Current

Activities: Appointed by the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Maryland to mediate child custody and divorce cases

Maryland State Bar Association

1980 - Current

Activities: Family Law Section

Frederick County Bar Assocaition

1980 - Current

Activities: Family Law Section

Maryland

Since 1979

• Child Custody
• Mediation
• Separation Agreements

Q. My brother wants to let his son live with me.I will need to enroll him in school. What steps do I need to take?

March 26, 2014

A: You should contact the local school system in your individual county to see what they will want to enroll him in school. Each County is a little different but you may have to go so far as to obtain a custody order. Regardless of what the schools want however, you should get a Power of Attorney authorizing you to obtain medical treatment for your nephew. I also recommend at least some sort of a custody agreement spelling out your rights and obligations. Finally, you mention your brother, but not the mother. You will need to involve her in this process as well.

Q. How can I prove parental alienation if what my 4 year old says is inadmissible in court. And what if my ex is lying?

March 26, 2014

A: There are several options to try to show that your wife is attempting to alienate your son. First to ask the Court to appoint an attorney represent your son and to have your son see a counselor. Another alternative would be to provide the Court with evidence of things your wife has done to alienate your son (i.e. what you or other witnesses have see or heard her do). As far as what your 4 year old son might have told you, while some of what he said might be excluded as hearsay, there are exceptions which may apply to allow in some of his statements (but remember even if you get in your son's statements, he is only 4 years old and what he said someone else said or did, may not carry much weight). Finally as to your wife lying, that may well occur and even if she is cross examined her lies may never be uncovered; however, you too will have the opportunity to testify and if your testimony is truthful and credible, you have to hope that the judge will believe you. ... Read More

Q. If the couple leave together more than 15 years in Maryland do they consider wife and husband?

March 26, 2014

A: Simply living together in Maryland does not make you husband and wife.