Maryland has following divorce laws:
Residency
The Maryland divorce laws require a spouse to be a resident for one year, if the
grounds for the divorce took place outside Maryland. Else if either spouse lives in Maryland, he or she may file in the county in which either spouse resides. In case of you are filing for divorce under the insanity ground for divorce, the residency requirement is 2 years.
Documents Required for Filing Divorce
The essential documents enforced by Maryland divorce laws include:
- Bill for Divorce and
- Decree of Divorce.
Other documents that are normally filed during the process are:
- Civil - Domestic Case Information Report
- Certificate of Service (for Complaint)
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Financial Statement (Plaintiff)
- Answer to Complaint
- Request for Hearing
Distribution of Property
According to Maryland divorce laws, the court will let the spouses sort out the issues regarding property and debt. If they are unable to agree, the divorce court will declare the distribution on its own discretion. The court may transfer ownership on the basis of following:
- A pension, retirement, profit sharing, or deferred compensation plan, from one party to either or both parties.
- Subject to the consent of any lien holders, family use personal property, from one or both parties to either or both parties.
Change of Name or Restoration of Name
The court shall grant a change in the name of a spouse to either the name given at birth or any other name as per Maryland divorce laws.
Mediation Counseling
In case one of the spouses has denies under oath the charge of irretrievable breakdown of marriage, the court considers the circumstances that gave rise to filing the petition and the prospect of reconciliation. The court then provides an arbitrator to settle down the matter.
Alimony
According to Maryland divorce laws, the court may award
alimony for an indefinite period, if the court finds that the spouse is seeking alimony due to: Age, Illness, Infirmity or Disability.
Child Custody
As mentioned in the Maryland divorce laws, the
Child Custody will be awarded to either or both parents in accordance with the best interests of the children. The state of Maryland considers no specific factors to award child custody, but the emblematic factors are (though not limited to):
- Age
- Health
- Parents contributing roles
- Child’s wishes
Child Support
Like other states, Maryland child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model.
Contact a professional divorce attorney or divorce lawyer for comprehensive divorce laws information in your state.
