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Default Divorce Options Under Maryland law, your spouse has 30 days to file a response to your Complaint, or 60 days if they live out of state. If your spouse misses that deadline, your attorney may file a request for Order of Default and send them a notice with the hearing date.

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.

Maryland accepts seven fault grounds for an absolute divorce, including adultery, desertion, conviction of certain crimes, insanity, cruelty, and excessively vicious conduct. We will focus on adultery and desertion as examples.

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.

In person requests are taken at Clerk of the Circuit Court, 129 East Main Street, Room 110, Elkton, Maryland 21921. If you email or fax your request, you must use the Request for Certified Copy of Divorce Decree form referenced above, and payment must be by credit card.

You may not serve the documents yourself. Another person must do it. o You may request the Sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives to serve the other side.