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EspañolBasic information about divorce in Maryland. You will find more information about divorce, including the risks of taking your children out of state while a divorce is pending, on our general Divorce page. To watch brief videos about divorce in Spanish with English sub-titles, go to our Videos page. Lastly, learn more about the court process on our Preparing for Court – By Yourself page.
- What are the residency requirements for divorce in Maryland?
- What types of divorce are available in Maryland?
- What are the grounds for an absolute divorce in Maryland?
- Can I get an absolute divorce if my spouse agrees to the divorce?
- What are the grounds for a limited divorce in Maryland?
- Can I get alimony?
- What are the basic steps for filing for divorce?
- Where can I find additional information about divorce laws in Maryland?
What are the residency requirements for divorce in Maryland?
You can file for divorce in Maryland if you or your spouse is a Maryland resident.1 If the reason for your divorce happened outside of Maryland, you can only apply for a divorce in Maryland if you or your spouse has lived in Maryland for at least six months before you file.2
1 MD Code Courts & Jud. Proc. § 6–202
2 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-101
What types of divorce are available in Maryland?
There are two types of divorce available in Maryland – absolute divorce and limited divorce. An absolute divorce ends the marriage and allows a judge to make a decision about issues related to the end of your marriage (property division, spousal support, custody, etc.). A limited divorce allows the judge to make decisions about these issues but does not legally end the marriage.1
What are the grounds for an absolute divorce in Maryland?
You and your spouse can get an absolute divorce if you both consent to it and you provide the judge with a settlement agreement that addresses all of the issues between you two, including alimony, custody, child support, and division of property.1 To read more about divorce by mutual consent, see Can I get an absolute divorce if my spouse agrees to the divorce?
You can also request an absolute divorce based on certain fault-based grounds. Grounds are legally acceptable reasons for divorce. The judge may award you an absolute divorce if, before you file for divorce, your spouse:
- cheats on you (adultery);
- deserts you for 12 months without interruption. The desertion must be deliberate (intentional) and final with no expectation of reconciliation (getting back together);
- is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in any state or U.S. court. Your spouse must also be sentenced to serve at least 3 years (or an “indeterminate sentence”) and have served twelve months of that sentence;
- separates from you, meaning that you and your spouse live separate and apart for twelve months without interruption (without “co-habitation”) and without a sexual relationship;
- has been confined in a mental institution, hospital, or other institution for at least three years because of insanity. The judge must hear two doctors testify that the insanity is incurable, and there is no hope of recovery. Also, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of Maryland for at least two years before filing for divorce based on insanity.;
- is cruel towards you or your minor child (and there is no expectation that you and your spouse will reconcile);
- displays excessively vicious behavior towards you or your minor child (and there is no expectation that you and your spouse will reconcile).2
Sometimes the spouse who is accused of one of the above fault-based grounds will claim that the other spouse also committed one of the fault-based grounds (known as “recrimination”). Generally, the only time this type of cross-allegation may affect the judge’s decision is in a claim that involves adultery. The judge can also consider if you allowed or forgave your spouse’s cheating (“condonation”).3
1 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(a)(8)
2 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(a)
3 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(b), (d)
Can I get an absolute divorce if my spouse agrees to the divorce?
The judge can grant you an absolute divorce based on mutual consent if you and your spouse:
- both agree that you want a divorce;
- sign a written settlement agreement where you agree on all issues relating to:
- alimony (spousal support);
- the division of your property;
- custody and visitation (access); and
- child support. Note: If child support will be paid, you must also attach a completed child support guidelines worksheet;
- do not file any paperwork to set aside the settlement agreement before the hearing; and
- both go to court for your hearing for an absolute divorce.1
After reviewing the settlement agreement, the judge must be satisfied that any terms of the agreement relating to minor or dependent children are in the best interests of those children.2
If you and your spouse meet these conditions, then the judge can adopt your settlement agreement into the divorce order. The judge could also modify or enforce your settlement agreement in the future.3
1 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(a)(8)
2 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(a)(8)(iv)
3 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-103(f)
What are the grounds for a limited divorce in Maryland?
If you want an absolute divorce but do not meet one of the grounds to file for one (or you do not want an absolute divorce for some other reason), the judge can grant you a limited divorce. The judge may grant you a limited divorce for a limited or indefinite amount of time.1 The judge can revoke (take back) the divorce order at any time if you and your spouse both agree to that.2 A judge can grant you a limited divorce if your spouse:
- was cruel to you or your minor child;
- was excessively vicious to you or your minor child;
- deserts you; or
- separates from you, meaning that you and your spouse live separate and apart without cohabitation and without a sexual relationship.3
1 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-102(b)
2 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-102(c)
3 MD Code, Fam. Law § 7-102(a)
Can I get alimony?
Alimony is financial support paid by, or to, your spouse. The judge will decide how much and for how long you will get alimony. If you are granted alimony, the judge may order your spouse to start the alimony payments from the date you filed for alimony even if some time has passed since then.1
The judge decides if s/he will award you alimony based on several factors, including:
- your ability to support yourself;
- the time you would need to get the necessary education or training to find a job;
- the standard of living during your marriage;
- the length of the marriage;
- the contributions of you and your spouse (financial and other) to the well-being of your family;
- the circumstances that led to your divorce;
- the age of you and your spouse;
- the physical and mental condition of you and your spouse;
- your spouse’s ability to meet her/his needs while paying you alimony;
- any agreement between you and your spouse;
- the financial needs and resources of you and your spouse, including all income and assets, any property award, financial responsibilities, and retirement benefits; and
- if your spouse is in a hospital and paying you alimony would cause him/her to become eligible for medical assistance earlier than if s/he were not ordered to pay you alimony.2
A judge may award you alimony for an indefinite period of time if:
- because of your age, illness, or disability, you will not be able to support yourself; or
- your and your spouse’s lifestyles will still be unconscionably (unreasonably) different even if you can support yourself.3
1 MD Code, Fam. Law, § 11-106(a)(1), (a)(2)
2 MD Code, Fam. Law, § 11-106(b)
3 MD Code, Fam. Law, § 11-106(c)
What are the basic steps for filing for divorce?
While divorce laws vary by state, here are the basic steps:
- First, you must meet the residency requirements of the state in which you wish to file.
- Second, you must have “grounds” (a legally acceptable reason) to end your marriage.
- Third, you must file divorce papers and have copies sent to your spouse.
- Fourth, if your spouse disagrees with anything in the divorce papers, he will then have the opportunity to file papers telling his side. This is called “contesting the divorce.” In this case, you will have to attend a series of court appearances to sort the issues out. If your spouse does not disagree with anything, he should sign the papers and send them back to you and/or the court. This is called an “uncontested divorce.” If a certain period of time passes and your spouse does not sign the papers or file any papers of his/her own, you may be able to proceed with the divorce as an uncontested divorce anyway. You should speak to a lawyer in your state about how long you have to wait to see if your spouse answers the divorce papers before you can continue with the divorce.
- Fifth, if there is property that you need divided, or if you need financial support from your spouse, you will have to work that out in an out-of-court settlement, or in a series of court hearings. Custody may also be decided as part of your divorce.
Where can I find additional information about divorce laws in Maryland?
The Maryland Judiciary provides the following information regarding divorce:
- a basic explanation of the divorce process in Maryland;
- the forms needed to pursue a divorce action, including complaint forms for absolute and limited divorce; and
- contact information for Family Court Help Centers from which you may be able to get general legal information and/or limited legal advice on matters like divorce, custody, and child support.
The Maryland State Bar Association has information on divorce and separation.
WomensLaw.org is unrelated to the above organizations and cannot vouch for the accuracy of their sites. We provide these links for your information only.
You will find more information about divorce, including the risks of taking your children out of state while a divorce is pending, on our general Divorce page. To watch brief videos about divorce in Spanish with English sub-titles, go to our Videos page. Lastly, learn more about the court process on our Preparing for Court – By Yourself page.
