File for Divorce in Maryland

The requirements and information regarding divorce in the state of Maryland are mentioned below:

Condition for Residency

If the grounds of divorce happened outside Maryland, one spouse must have been a resident for at least one year before filing for divorce. However, if the grounds for divorce are insanity, residency requirement becomes 2 years minimum. Either spouse can file for divorce in the county where they live.

Reasons for the Divorces

The grounds for filing for divorce in the State of Maryland include the following:

Principle of Child Custody

Custody may be awarded to one or both parents, given the interests of the child. Custody may be denied to the spouse if there is any history of domestic abuse towards the child by the concerned parent. Apart from the above mentioned factor, no other factors are observed by the court while making the decision. The concerned child will be allowed to live in the environment he is comfortable in and the possession and use of the family home will be awarded to the parent holding custody.

Rules for Property Distribution

In Maryland, both spouses get to retain their separate property, including gifts, inheritances, any property acquired before the nuptials and any property that is directly traceable for any of these conditions. Any other property will be divided under the following factors:

Rules for Spousal Support

Either of the spouses may be ordered to pay alimony depending on the following factors:

Child Support Guidelines

Child support may be awarded to either parent. While awarding child support to the parent, the court will take the following factors in mind:

Mediation In Case Of Divorce

The State of Maryland declares that mediation should be done in cases of custodial disputes, unless the child has been physically abused in the past. If children are involved, the court may indicate an educational seminar.

Filing Pro Se Divorce

There is no need of a lawyer when applying for divorce in the state of Maryland. A divorce case which is filed without any help of an attorney in any of the states is known as Pro Se Divorce.

Literally, Pro Se is a Latin phrase and it means "on her or his own". Process of getting the divorce without the help of lawyer may vary from one State to another. These types of divorces are perfectly legal and enforceable in Maryland, and are actually very convenient. Usually, once settlements have been made regarding property distribution and custody matters among the spouses in case of a mutual divorce, Pro Se Divorces are filed.

Click Here to Begin