Rearrange Pages In Legal Maryland Divorce Forms For Free

For now, the quickest route to obtain a divorce is an uncontested, no fault twelve month separation. In order to meet the requirements for this type of divorce, it is important to clearly establish the separation date. This will determine the twelve-month mark for when you can file a complaint for absolute divorce.

It can take anywhere from around a month to four months on average for a divorce to be finalized in Maryland. They can take more time if the case goes to trial or if the couple cannot decide on child custody, child visitation or alimony.

One of the parties to the divorce must be a resident of Maryland for at least one year before filing a suit for divorce, unless the grounds for divorce occurred in Maryland or the divorce is based on insanity. In the case of insanity, the party seeking the divorce must have resided in Maryland for at least two years.

While filing for divorce first does not give you any inherent rights over your spouse, it does allow you more control over the situation from the beginning and could provide some strategic benefits.

New Law Effective October 1, 2023 The new law scheduled to become effective in October eliminates the concept of limited divorce and changes the grounds for absolute divorce. Beginning in October, there will be only three grounds for absolute divorce: 6-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent.

Provided that you and your partner are on the same page, it shouldn't give either one of you too much of an advantage. Once one person files, the other has a chance to respond to their claims. In the end, the claims you both make on your divorce forms will decide your case ? not whoever turned in their paperwork first.