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If you are considering a divorce, speak with a Glen Burnie divorce lawyer at Zide Siegel Tabor & Spigel. We have successfully handled all types of family law cases and will put this experience to work for you.
Our divorce attorneys have handled every aspect of Family Law and Divorce cases over their careers. This includes child custody, property division, and spousal support matters. Additionally, our team of attorneys and paralegals are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome with your Glen Burnie family law case. If you have specific questions, call us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your situation. We offer in-person and over-the-phone consultations for your convenience.
Under Maryland law, the definition of marriage is a civil contract between two people. A divorce is a legal ending of a marriage ordered by a court.
Maryland Family Law Code § 7-103 defines the statutory requirements a married couple must meet to obtain an absolute divorce or limited divorce.
To obtain an absolute divorce, you must first show that there are grounds for divorce. Grounds for divorce are legally acceptable reasons to end the marriage. In the state of Maryland, you cannot just point out irreconcilable differences and hope to end a marriage. There are seven different grounds for divorce and it doesn't matter which one is used when it comes to ending a marriage. For that purpose, one ground is as good as any other. They include:
Once a decree of absolute divorce is entered, either party may remarry. As with most divorce cases, property rights are a main issue. The effect of divorce on property rights has an impact on the entire family. As such, divorce has earned the reputation of being a traumatizing family law experience, leading to bitter custody battles.
A limited divorce, or otherwise known as a legal separation, is a legal action where a married couple is separated. During this time, the couple remains legally married while living separate and apart from one another. During this time, neither spouse can have sexual relations with another person. If a spouse does have sexual relations with another person, the court defines this action as adultery.
While a limited divorce is not required in Maryland, here are a few circumstances where your Maryland Divorce attorney will recommend this route: The grounds for absolute divorce have not been met, you are in need of financial relief, or you are unable to settle your difference privately.
The grounds for limited divorce include:
Under Maryland Family Law Code § 7-101, for a judge to grant a Maryland divorce, one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for six months.
Speak with Glen Burnie family law attorneys at ZSTS if you have questions regarding Maryland’s residency requirement.
As of 2018, the Maryland mutual consent divorce law eliminates the 12-month waiting period. Essentially, it allows couples to get a divorce without having to wait. (Maryland Family Law Code § 7-103).
Maryland is a no-fault divorce state. “No-fault” simply means the court will not assign blame for the disintegration of the marriage. In other words, infidelity or other misconduct, has no bearing on the judge’s decision to grant the divorce. However, such proof may be relevant to other family law decisions such as the calculation of spousal support.
Divorce is a difficult, stressful situation. You most likely did not make this choice lightly. Divorce will have an effect on practically every element of your life and need difficult choices regarding your children, property, and other matters.
An attorney can offer counsel to assist you in making wise, well-informed decisions during this difficult time. It might be difficult to fully evaluate the impact that such important decisions can have on your life during such a stressful moment. Our divorce lawyers at ZSTS help our divorce clients come up with practical, considerate alternatives.
Divorce is a difficult enough decision to make. The numerous factors involved in ending your marriage can make the process more difficult overall. We can help with a variety of divorce-related issues, such as:
We can also assist with considerations unique to Maryland law, including recent changes to the law involving obtaining a divorce without having to be separated for one year. Whatever issues you may face, we will help you understand your choices and make informed decisions.
Nobody plans to get divorced. We will work with you to get you through this process because we are aware of the emotions that come with divorce. Even if it may seem impossible to come out of the divorce case financially secure and content, we will use our extensive knowledge and experience to argue for you and represent your interests. We want to give you the tools you need to successfully advance in life.
You do not have to get through the divorce process alone. Contact our divorce lawyers to learn how we may be of assistance in your unique situation. Schedule an initial consultation at our office in Glen Burnie. Call us at (410) 760-9433 or contact us using the form below.
