Maryland Divorce Details
With DivorceWriter, you complete your own Maryland Domestic Relations divorce paperwork online so you can get divorced without an attorney.
Residency
You may file for divorce at any time if at least one spouse has lived in Maryland for six months. You may also file for divorce at any time if the grounds for your divorce (see below) happened while you were living in Maryland, regardless of how long you have lived in-state.
Grounds for Divorce
As of October 1, 2015, couples with no minor children together can file for divorce regardless of whether they are separated as long as both spouses will sign a written Settlement Agreement and will both attend a brief divorce hearing, if one is required by the judge. This no-fault grounds is called "mutual consent."
Most couples who have minor children together file for divorce on the no-fault grounds of "voluntary separation," which means that they have lived separate and apart without interruption (and without having sex) for at least 12 months.
If neither of these no-fault grounds applies in your case, DivorceWriter offers several fault grounds to choose from as well.
Filing for Divorce
All Maryland divorces are filed in Circuit Court in the county where at least one spouse lives or where the non-filing spouse (Defendant) works. You may file by mail or in person at the Court Clerk's office.
Serving Your Spouse
After you file for divorce, you will be given a Writ of Summons by the Court Clerk. Then, you simply select an adult, usually a friend or family member, to serve your spouse by mail or in person. If you prefer, you can hire a private process server to handle this instead.
Completing Your Uncontested Divorce
Maryland divorces can be finalized in as little as 30 days.
What is included in the DivorceWriter Package?
- Includes all documents needed to complete your divorce.
- Property division, debt, and spousal support are covered.
- Child support, parenting plan, name restoration, and more.
- Receive your package instantly online, or receive by mail.
- Make unlimited changes for two years.
- Note: The DivorceWriter fee does not include the filing fee charged by the Court Clerk in your county.
Included Maryland Forms
- Civil-Domestic Case Information Report
- Complaint for Absolute Divorce
- Affidavit of Service (certified mail and private process options included)
- Answer to Complaint
- Financial Statement (only included for no children if there is spousal support)
- Notice Regarding Restricted Information
- Joint Request to Schedule an Uncontested Divorce Hearing
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Child Support Worksheet*
- Motion to Restore Name (if Defendant is seeking a name change)
- Submission for Judgment of Divorce
*Divorce with minor children only
What Our Customers are Saying
"Divorce is the toughest thing that I have had to ever face. DivorceWriter helped make the paperwork and process smooth, efficient, and as painless as possible. Everything was delivered as promised, I was allowed to make changes after my paperwork was delivered, and the judge had absolutely no questions whatsoever regarding the paperwork. It truly was a very easy process." -Jeff P.
