DIVORCE ATTORNEY

Maryland law provides for two types of divorce proceedings: limited and absolute divorce. An absolute divorce is a final ending to a marriage, resolving all applicable issues of child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and division of marital property. A limited divorce allows the Court to step in and handle issues of child custody, visitation, child support, alimony and use and possession of a family home when parties are not eligible to proceed with an absolute divorce.

Without a marital settlement agreement, Maryland law requires that parties live separate and apart for twelve continuous months before they are eligible to file for an absolute divorce. A twelve-month separation period can be avoided in at-fault divorce proceedings if one spouse has committed adultery, or if serious domestic violence has occurred during the marriage. A recent change to Maryland law waives the twelve-month separation period when a written marital settlement agreement has been reached resolving all issues of monetary awards, alimony, division of marital property, child custody, support and access.

It is not necessary to obtain a limited divorce prior to filing for an absolute divorce. Limited divorce proceedings are designed to provide relief for parties that cannot reach agreements before they are eligible to file for an absolute divorce.

As a divorce attorneys, our goal to help our clients navigate through the difficult and often confusing process of obtaining a divorce decree, with the hope of reaching an amicable resolution whenever possible.