MARYLAND DIVORCE ACTIONS

A PRIMER ON MARYLAND DIVORCE LAWS

Maryland Divorce Primer by a Maryland Divorce Lawyer

ABSOLUTE DIVORCE

There are two types of Maryland divorces. Pursuant to Maryland Code, Family Law, § 7-103, an “Absolute Divorce” is the term used in Maryland for a divorce in Maryland that is based on fault grounds or on the basis of living separate and apart for the statutory time period. Generally, the first step in Maryland for an Absolute divorce is for one of the parties to leave the marital residence and then file for divorce in Maryland. When a person files for a Absolute divorce in Maryland they will have to decide whether they are going to file for a fault based divorce or not. Usually, a person who files for a Maryland divorce based on fault grounds will file based on one or all of the following factors:

• adultery, sodomy or buggery
• actual or constructive desertion
• cruelty

However, just because a person files for a divorce in Maryland based on any of the above does not mean that they will get a fault based divorce in Maryland.

LIMITED DIVORCE

When one party leaves the marital residence and files for a Maryland divorce, they will usually file for “Limited Divorce” pursuant to Maryland Code, Family Law, § 7-102.  A Maryland Limited divorce is also called a divorce from bed and board by the Maryland divorce courts. The only basis for this type of divorce in Maryland is cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, willful desertion or abandonment. If a party in Maryland files for this type of a Maryland divorce, they will usually seek relief pending litigation. When filing for relief pending litigation or defending against the same, it is very important to retain a Maryland divorce lawyer who is extremely knowledgeable and skilled at handling Maryland divorces.

If you seeking a divorce in Maryland or have been served with papers for a Maryland divorce, do not take it lightly. A person facing a divorce in Maryland can loose a lot, including their property, custody of their child or children and other marital rights if they take a Maryland divorce action lightly. Therefore, it is critical to act quickly if you are contemplating a Maryland divorce action or defending against a divorce in Maryland.

Our offices in Maryland are in Montgomery County and Baltimore County.

Our retainers (fees or costs to hire a Maryland divorce lawyer) for a contested divorce action in Maryland is usually a minimum of $2500.

Contact us if you need our help and our Maryland divorce lawyers will talk with you and discuss what steps we need to take to help you with a divorce in Maryland. You can call us for help at 888-437-7747 or contact us on line.