Maryland and Washington DC residents turn to JGL’s divorce lawyers for skilled legal advocacy in all types of divorce matters. Whether you are faced with an uncontested divorce or a skilled, aggressive, and even unreasonable divorce litigator, we work diligently to negotiate your fair divorce settlement without allowing your former spouse to take advantage of you. If your divorce cannot be resolved amicably, we will aggressively pursue your matter in court.
In and out of court, our Maryland divorce attorneys will navigate you through your grounds for divorce, the latest changes in the law, and the challenges associated with the complexities involving the division of assets, family issues, alimony, and child custody and support, among other examples. We listen carefully to your concerns and clearly explain the laws and your options. We outline the best and worst possible scenarios to aid you in making an informed decision about how to proceed.
Grounds For Divorce in Maryland
On October 1, 2023, Maryland eliminated all fault-based grounds for divorce, such as adultery, desertion, criminal convictions, insanity and cruelty of treatment, and excessively vicious conduct toward a spouse or child. Now, there are only three possible grounds, including mutual consent, irreconcilable differences, or a 6-month separation.
The Maryland Divorce Process
Divorce (also called absolute divorce) happens when a court legally ends your marriage and a divorce decree” is entered. Once Maryland residency requirements have been established you can file a petition for divorce, and the process begins.
Elements of Divorce in Maryland
Divorce should address and solve issues in three major areas – property division, child custody and child visitation, and any appropriate future financial obligations such as child support and alimony also known as spousal support.
Spousal Support (Alimony) takes many forms., permanent, temporary and rehabilitative. A number of factors are taken into consideration such as the length of the marriage, the income and assets of each spouse, earning potential of each spouse to name a few.
If you cannot agree on child custody, child support and visitation, the court will decide for you. Child custody is always determined on the basis of “what is best for the child(ren).” There are state guidelines regarding child support which can be modified if need or circumstance require it. Visitation is dependent upon a number of factors, including the age of the child(ren), housing, parental availability, and past parental activity are the primary determining factors.
Determining the division of property and assets should be a careful process. If there is no prenuptial agreement in place, it is necessary to determine what the assets are and how they were paid for (inherited, earned in the course of the marriage), the financial contributions made by each spouse to the marital property and the current and future earning power of both parties.
Preparing for Divorce Proceedings
First, gather all the financial information you can, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, stocks and other investments, annuities and collections of value such as art, antiquities, coins, etc. Then, you should consider what you want from the union other than your fair share of the financial assets. Write down as many questions as you can for your first meeting with an experienced and highly regarded divorce attorney. When you speak to a divorce lawyer, make certain that this is someone with whom you are comfortable, because you will be spending time together and discussing some of the most personal aspects of your married life.
Why Work with Our Experienced Divorce Lawyers?
JGL is the professional home of a number of highly qualified divorce attorneys. The firm has more than 50 years of experience in family law. Our broad bench includes several partners who have dedicated their lives to this work. They have one mission – yours.
Consult a Maryland Divorce Attorney
What matters to you, matters to us. For over five decades, JGL attorneys have fought to improve the future of families, the arc of careers, the success of business, and your most basic human rights. The attorneys of JGL take your business, family, and personal issues as personally as you do. We relentlessly pursue the outcomes you desire. If you need guidance from a Maryland Divorce attorney, contact JGL.
