08/21/2026
⚖️ Friday Family Law Case Spotlight: Can Alimony Be Reserved for Later?
📚 Friday Case Spotlight: Goshorn v. Goshorn
Sometimes, what a divorce order doesn’t specifically say can be just as important as what it does.
In Goshorn v. Goshorn, 154 Md. App. 194 (2003), the Maryland Court of Special Appeals addressed an important question regarding reservation of alimony jurisdiction.
🔹 The takeaway: When a divorce judgment broadly reserves “all other issues,” the court may retain jurisdiction to address alimony at a later date—even when alimony is not specifically named in the reservation.
The case also addressed an important issue involving destitute adult children, holding that Maryland’s child support guidelines apply when determining support obligations for an adult child who is unable to be self-supporting because of a physical or mental infirmity.
The appellate court ultimately determined that the trial court had authority to address indefinite alimony and support, but certain monetary awards had to be vacated and recalculated because of errors in the lower court’s calculations.
💡 Why does this matter?
Family law orders can have long-lasting consequences. The specific language used in a divorce judgment can affect what issues a court may be able to address in the future.
At Fanning Law, L.L.C., we understand that the details matter, especially when it comes to divorce, alimony, child support, and long-term financial obligations.
📖 Friday’s reminder: Know what your divorce order says, and understand what it could mean down the road.
