About Uncontested Divorce in Maryland Online

An uncontested divorce in Maryland is often referred to as a 'mutual consent divorce.' Generally, divorce falls into three main categories: uncontested divorce, contested divorce, or default divorce.

What is Uncontested Divorce in Maryland?

In Maryland, an uncontested divorce indicates that you and your spouse have reached an agreement on the distribution of your property and debts, and are working together to dissolve your marriage without resorting to court. With a mutual consent divorce, both spouses must sign all the required paperwork and collaborate to navigate through the mandatory court procedures in the most efficient way possible. If there are any minor children from the marriage, you and your spouse need to agree on the custody arrangements (known as 'child access' in Maryland) and support. In the majority of uncontested divorce cases in Maryland, the couple simply agrees to follow the Maryland child support guidelines.

Most divorce cases ultimately conclude with the parties reaching an agreement before going to trial. Very few cases, including high net worth divorces, celebrity divorces, etc. actually result in a trial. The court encourages parties to reach an agreement, and often mediation and settlement conferences are standard before any trial occurs. Litigating with your spouse can be costly, especially if you both hire high-priced lawyers. For these reasons, it is generally wise to reach an agreement with your spouse as early as possible, which is an effective way to manage and even reduce the cost of divorce.

However, if you and your spouse have substantial assets (such as a home, retirement accounts, businesses, etc.) or other complex issues, it's wise to consult with an attorney before finalizing any agreement with your spouse. By speaking to an attorney, you can ensure that your personal best interests are being considered. An experienced family law attorney can also explain your legal options.

If you have reached an agreement with your spouse, Maryland Divorce Online allows you to complete your divorce entirely online. A duly licensed Maryland attorney will prepare all the necessary paperwork for you. Then you and your spouse simply sign, notarize, and submit it to the Circuit Court in your county.

To get started, you answer questions online. The attorney will ensure that your personal situation and circumstances are suitable for an uncontested divorce.

Next, you and your spouse sign and notarize the documents. You can use our E-Notary service to sign and notarize online, and then have us E-file your case with the Circuit Court in your county. Alternatively, you and your spouse can print, sign, and notarize the paperwork before a local notary. You then mail the documents to or drop them off with the Circuit Court in your county. We provide all the instructions you need to complete your divorce by mail, or in person, if you do not choose for us to E-file your case for you.

No court visits are necessary to complete your divorce when we E-file your case. Usually, no court appearance is needed when you mail or drop the documents off yourself. However, some judges do require a hearing, as they like to verify where you obtained your paperwork and if a non-attorney assisted you with document preparation. This is why you should avoid most “online divorce” websites, as they are not operated by a duly licensed Maryland attorney. When you use our E-file service, the online attorney is the one who presents your case to the judge. In this case, the judge knows that your case documents were prepared by a duly licensed Maryland attorney.

See if you qualify to use Maryland Divorce Online for your uncontested divorce in Maryland.