About Law Offices of Tae H. Kim — Family Law Columbia Maryland
The Law Offices of Tae H. Kim, operating as Kim & Grillo Law, handles family law Columbia residents rely on across Howard County and the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Founded by trial attorneys Tae H. Kim and Ann M. Grillo, the firm markets “40 years of combined legal experience” and emphasizes multilingual service for the diverse communities that fill Columbia, Catonsville, Frederick, and Annapolis. Tae Kim personally focuses on criminal defense, personal injury, and family law matters.
Because Howard County’s family docket runs through the Circuit Court in Ellicott City, most divorce and custody matters filed by Columbia residents are heard there. Clients comparing options often review the Columbia attorney directory before retaining counsel. However, many retain Kim & Grillo specifically because the firm offers free consultations and handles overlapping matters — for example, a divorce with a concurrent criminal or personal-injury issue — under a single case team.
What Clients Say
Kim & Grillo’s reviews emphasize three consistent themes: quick response to calls, clear explanations of Maryland family-law procedure, and a willingness to discuss fees openly at the first meeting. Reviewers describe the firm’s “Helping Real People Solve Real Problems Every Day” philosophy as more than marketing — clients report that both name partners stay accessible throughout a case. Because divorce and custody disputes are emotionally demanding, responsiveness matters as much as legal skill.
Family Law Columbia — Practice Areas & Services
- Uncontested and contested divorce under Maryland’s six-month separation grounds
- Child custody, physical and legal, plus visitation scheduling in Howard County
- Child support calculations under Maryland’s revised guidelines
- Spousal support (alimony), both pendente lite and post-divorce
- Modification of existing custody, visitation, and support orders
- Protective orders and domestic-violence filings at the Howard County District Court
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a contested divorce take in Howard County?
A contested divorce filed in the Circuit Court for Howard County typically runs nine to eighteen months from filing to final decree, depending on custody complexity and discovery disputes. Uncontested divorces — where both parties agree on all issues — can close in three to six months. Because Maryland consolidated most fault grounds in 2023, many cases now proceed on mutual consent or six-month separation.
How does Maryland calculate child support?
Maryland follows an income-shares model set out in Family Law Article §§ 12-201 to 12-204. Both parents’ actual monthly incomes are combined, then apportioned based on each parent’s share and the number of overnights with each parent. For 2022 the legislature raised the guidelines ceiling, so high-income Columbia families now see formal guideline calculations rather than court discretion.
Where are Howard County family law cases heard?
Divorce, custody, and complex family matters are heard at the Circuit Court for Howard County at 9250 Bendix Road in Ellicott City. Protective orders and less complex matters can originate at the Howard County District Court in the same building. Mediation is often ordered before trial in contested custody cases.
Quick Facts: Family Law in Columbia, Maryland
- Maryland Divorce Grounds (2023 reform): Maryland consolidated divorce grounds to mutual consent, six-month separation, and irreconcilable differences under Family Law Article § 7-103 — Maryland Courts
- Howard County Circuit Court: Family matters are heard at 9250 Bendix Road in Ellicott City, serving Columbia and all of Howard County — Maryland Judiciary
- Child Support Guidelines: Maryland’s income-shares guidelines apply to combined parental income up to $360,000 per year — Maryland Family Law Article § 12-204



