What’s the Best Way to Divorce in Maryland?

The most efficient way to divorce in Maryland is through mutual agreement with your spouse. Both of you should participate in signing all the necessary paperwork. However, divorce is still possible if your spouse is reluctant to sign or is missing. Note that these situations will require additional steps. The quickest and easiest method is via mutual agreement.

Once you and your spouse reach an agreement, you'll need to submit all the relevant documents to the court, along with a document that outlines your agreements. This document is typically referred to as a Marital Settlement Agreement or a Consent Decree of Divorce. This document details how you and your spouse will divide your marital assets and debts, if any. It also explains arrangements for child support, custody, and visitation, if applicable.

How Do I Obtain Maryland Divorce Documents and Settlement Agreements?

Through this website, we offer a way to complete an agreed divorce 100% online. However, you must qualify to use this entirely online process. This website enables you to answer simple questions online and then receive all the necessary paperwork. All the documents are drafted and prepared by a duly licensed Maryland attorney. You and your spouse can then opt to sign and notarize the paperwork online and choose to have the online attorney E-file the paperwork with the court on your behalf.

Alternatively, you can choose to file the paperwork received via this website. You and your spouse simply sign and notarize it, then mail or deliver it to the courthouse. All paperwork you receive via this website is prepared by a duly licensed Maryland attorney. It's essential to have a reliable professional prepare your paperwork as Maryland divorce judges can be very particular and may dismiss your case if you fail to file the correct paperwork or don't draft the documents correctly.

Do-it-Yourself Maryland Divorce Forms

If you are seeking Maryland divorce forms for your Maryland divorce, it's important to note that:

1. There is no one-size-fits-all set of forms that you can download anywhere to meet your specific situation and circumstances.
2. Divorce "forms" are actually documents that are dynamic, meaning that the content may change according to the specifics of your case. If a question doesn't apply, you don't skip it but must address it in the context of your situation. Failing to do so may delay the judge from granting your divorce.
3. Many forms you find online are only a fraction of the documents you may need for your case, and you must understand the timeline set by Maryland statute for when those forms should be filed.
4. If you decide to prepare your own divorce documents, you first need to determine which documents are relevant to your situation, find all the necessary documents, cover letters, and individual court cover sheets, or similar documents required to file and finalize your divorce. You'll then need to customize the language of the Marital Settlement Agreement or Consent Decree of Divorce to meet your specific situation, and if you have children, understand how child support is calculated according to state guidelines. Understanding the protocol of your local divorce court is necessary to file, notify your spouse, and schedule your final hearing or the procedure on mailing your paperwork to the judge for finalization. This process can be overwhelming, especially while dealing with the emotional strain of divorce.

What’s the best way to get correct Maryland Divorce Papers?

If you simply want the paperwork, please know that through this website we have created a simple and highly affordable way to start and complete your divorce in Maryland. If you have reached an agreement with your spouse, you can use this website to answer straightforward questions online and then receive all the paperwork you need to file and finalize your uncontested divorce in Maryland. Best of all, you simply sign and mail the paperwork to the court and never have to appear before the judge. A judge will be assigned and will approve the divorce if all the papers are complete. If you choose, you can have an online attorney, via this website, review all your paperwork to ensure it is appropriate for your situation. The cost of this service is only $195 or two payments of $99.

Warning about websites selling divorce kits or typing services

Nearly all "online divorce" websites do not employ attorneys and as such offer only a typing service that simply inputs your information into their standard divorce documents, which may or may not be all the documents you need for your situation. More importantly, their standard divorce documents may not be acceptable to the Judge. Carefully review any websites offering divorce forms and online services. You will quickly discover that most offer nothing but typing services as they are not attorneys and cannot provide you with legal advice or answer your legal questions or even help you make decisions about your case.

What documents are usually required in Maryland?

The divorce documents required in Maryland can vary due to several factors. It's essential to be aware that divorce documents may differ from court to court as some courts require certain documents specific to their local court. Each divorce case is unique, which impacts what documents are needed for each case. For example, one case may involve children while another may not, or one case may involve property, while another does not.

Common documents in a Maryland uncontested divorce might include:

• Complaint for Absolute Divorce
• Financial Statement
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Report of Absolute Divorce or Annulment
• Joint Request to Schedule an Uncontested Divorce Hearing
• Affidavit of Service
• Answer to Complaint
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (if children are involved)

This list has been divided into two categories for clarity:

1. For cases not involving minor children, click here.
2. For cases involving minor children, click here.

For the most accurate information, always consult with a legal professional.