Shank Law, 40 W. Chesapeake Avenue , Suite 202, Towson, MD (2026)

05/29/2026

A recent 5th Circuit federal court decision is a good reminder of something many people don’t realize: You can lose attorney-client privilege without ever intending to.

In that case, a party was taking legal advice from their attorney and uploading it into ChatGPT to get a “second opinion.” The court found that this kind of disclosure (sharing confidential legal communications with an open, public-facing platform) can result in waiver of privilege.

That means the information may no longer be protected. This isn’t just about AI. It’s about where and how you share legal advice.

I’ve seen some attorneys start updating engagement agreements to address this risk. My own agreements have included this concept for years, largely because social media created the same issue long before AI did.

Here’s the simple rule I give clients: If you want a second opinion, that’s completely appropriate... Talk to another attorney.

But don’t: Text it to friends, post it on social media, or upload it into AI tools or public platforms.

Once confidential legal advice is shared outside the attorney-client relationship, you may lose the protections that come with it.

This is one of those areas where technology is moving faster than most people realize—and the consequences are very real.

When in doubt, ask your lawyer before you share.

05/20/2026

Can you change a custody schedule for summer only?

The short answer is: yes.

In many cases, a different physical custody schedule does make sense for summer versus the school year. Kids have different routines, childcare needs change, and parenting time often needs to be more flexible when school isn’t in session.

Legally, you can file to modify custody for just the summer schedule, but only if there is a material change in circumstances that justifies it.

That said, I often caution clients to think carefully before filing something that is temporary or narrowly focused.

Custody litigation is expensive. Even a limited modification can cost significant time, money, and emotional energy. If the only issue is adjusting summer logistics, it may be worth exploring whether the parents can agree outside of court rather than initiating full litigation.

That becomes even more important when timing is tight.

I've had cases where parents are seeking a modification tied to school enrollment decisions. The challenge is that these issues are time-sensitive, and what happens over the summer directly impacts where a child will attend school in the fall.

In situations like that, parties may ask the court for an expedited hearing, but not all jurisdictions will grant one, even when education is involved.

The key takeaway: if you’re thinking about modifying custody for summer, or anything tied to school decisions, don’t wait. These cases move slowly, and delays can limit your options.

Talk to an attorney early so you can understand your best path forward before timing becomes the problem.

05/14/2026

I had the opportunity to speak about the collaboration between Best Interest Attorneys and mental health professionals at Collective Conversations: Setting Hope In Motion in Baltimore, and here are my takeaways...

This conference brought together legal professionals, mental health providers, educators, healthcare professionals, and advocates, all focused on one shared goal: better supporting children through some of the most difficult situations they may face.

I spoke about how intentional communication between disciplines can make a meaningful difference for children navigating high-conflict family dynamics.

What stood out most to me over these two days was the reminder that none of this work happens in isolation. The best outcomes for children happen when professionals are willing to listen to each other, challenge assumptions, and stay focused on the child’s experience, not just the system around them.

I'm grateful to the organizers at Change the Conversation and Springboard Community Services for putting together such a thoughtful and impactful event, and grateful to be included in the conversation!

05/06/2026

Mother’s Day is coming up, and if you’re co-parenting, this is your reminder that it’s not just about you.

Even if it’s not “your day,” you still play a role in how your child experiences it.

One of the most meaningful things you can do? Help your child celebrate the other parent.

Take them to pick out a card. Let them choose a small gift. Encourage them to make something or write a note.

It may feel small, but it matters more than you think. It shows your child that it’s okay to love both parents.

It supports their relationship with the other parent. And yes, it’s also the kind of behavior that reflects well in the eyes of a court.

But more importantly, it reflects something bigger: Putting your child’s emotional well-being ahead of your own feelings.

Co-parenting isn’t always easy. But moments like this are opportunities to do it really, really well.

05/01/2026

There’s a phrase I hear often in family law cases: the “default parent.”

It’s the parent who remembers the dentist appointment, signs the field trip form, schedules the haircut, packs the lunch, manages the school emails, coordinates the playdates, and knows which stuffed animal absolutely must go to bed every night.

Most of the time, this role develops quietly over the years. It becomes the family’s normal rhythm, so much so that people stop noticing it.

Until a custody case begins.

Then suddenly, all of that invisible labor (the scheduling, the mental load, the day-to-day management of a child’s life) becomes highly relevant. Courts often look closely at who has historically handled the routine needs of the child, because it helps paint a picture of how the family has actually functioned.

In other words, the emotional and logistical work of being the default parent may feel invisible day to day, but it often becomes very visible when legal decisions are being made about a child’s future.

That doesn’t mean one parent is “better” than the other. But it does mean that the small, consistent acts of caregiving matter more than people sometimes realize.

And for many parents, that moment, when the invisible suddenly becomes visible, can be both validating and complicated at the same time.

04/21/2026

As May 11-12 gets closer, I’m really looking forward to Collective Conversations: Setting Hope In Motion next month in Baltimore.

I’ll be presenting on the collaboration between Best Interest Attorneys and mental health professionals, and how that partnership can better support children navigating incredibly difficult situations.

Conferences like this matter because the work of protecting and supporting children doesn’t happen in silos. It takes thoughtful collaboration between legal professionals, therapists, educators, healthcare providers, and advocates.

This event, hosted by Change the Conversation and Springboard Community Services, brings those perspectives together in one place to share ideas, practical strategies, and real experiences from people doing this work every day.

If you work with children or families in any capacity, it’s going to be an important and meaningful two days.

📍 May 11–12 | Center Club, Baltimore
🔗 Registration: https://changetheconversation.harnessgiving.org/events/3528

If you’re planning to attend, I’d love to see you there.

04/12/2026

Life changes over time, but the language in your custody agreement or parenting plan might not keep up. What worked when your child was three may not make sense when they’re ten.

Spring is a great moment to ask a few simple questions: Are there clauses that are vague or unclear? Are there assumptions you and your co-parent made that were never actually written down? Have schedules, activities, or responsibilities changed since the agreement was signed?

A lot of conflict in family law doesn’t come from bad intentions. It comes from unclear language or outdated agreements that no longer match how life actually works.

Sometimes a small update can prevent a much bigger dispute later.

Think of it as spring cleaning for your parenting plan. Clearing out what no longer works so things run more smoothly going forward.

04/01/2026

Spring sports sign-ups have a way of sneaking up on you.

One minute it’s winter, the next you’re staring at registration deadlines, equipment lists, and a whole lot of logistics.

If you’re co-parenting, now is the moment to slow things down and talk it through.

Here are a few things to sort out before you sign your kids up for that class or team:

👉 Do both parents need to agree?
Some activities, especially physically demanding or higher-risk ones, require consent from both parents. If one parent isn’t comfortable, that’s not something to ignore or push past.

👉 Who is responsible for the cost?
It’s rarely just the sign-up fee. Think equipment, uniforms, travel, tournaments, and time. If you don’t agree on the activity, you’ll need clarity on whether costs are shared or handled by one parent.

👉 How does this affect parenting time?
Practices and games don’t always fall neatly into one schedule. The impact on custody time should be discussed ahead of time, not after the season starts.

👉 What’s the real commitment?
Sports can demand far more time and energy than people expect. Be honest about what each household can realistically manage.

Here’s the part people often overlook: don’t commit or let your child get excited until the adults are aligned. Disappointment like that hurts, and it's avoidable.

If extracurriculars aren’t clearly addressed in your parenting plan, or if these conversations keep turning into conflict, it may be time to revisit how decisions get made.

I’m happy to help you think it through before it becomes a bigger issue.

Let’s talk: https://shanklawmd.com/contact/

03/24/2026

This May, I’ll be presenting at Collective Conversations: Setting Hope In Motion, a two-day conference focused on preventing and addressing child sexual abuse in a way that centers children and supports the adults who work with them.

I’ll be speaking about mental health professionals working with Best Interest Attorneys and how thoughtful collaboration can support children navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

The event is co-hosted by Change the Conversation and Springboard Community Services and brings together people from mental health, education, legal services, healthcare, and advocacy. It’s a chance to hear bold ideas, real stories from people doing this work every day, and practical strategies for how we can do better for kids.

If this conference resonates with the work you do or the people you support, I hope you’ll join me May 11–12 in Baltimore.

Register here:
https://changetheconversation.harnessgiving.org/events/3528

03/20/2026

I'm thrilled to welcome Vanessa Bedford to the Shank Law team!

Vanessa brings incredible experience as a family law paralegal, having worked in Carroll County since 2014. She plays a key role in case management, client communication, and document preparation, making sure every case moves smoothly through each stage.

She’s already made a huge impact and earned the nickname “Discovery Queen,” and I couldn’t be more excited to have her on board.

A native New Yorker and Ithaca College graduate, Vanessa now calls Maryland home. Outside the office, she enjoys exploring Baltimore’s music scene or relaxing at home with her cat.

Welcome, Vanessa—I'm so glad you’re here!

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