In Maryland, divorce proceedings continue according to specific laws and restrictions. Petitioners meet all prerequisites before starting a divorce motion. Their divorce grounds outline any additional requirements for their case. The size of the marital estate and the total number of children play a role in creating the terms of the divorce. A local law firm in Southern Maryland offers advice about divorce cases.
Prerequisites for Divorce
All petitioners live in the state for at least one year and establish residency in Maryland. The state requires couples to separate voluntarily for one year before starting a divorce case. An involuntary separation requires a two-year waiting period.
No-Fault Grounds and Requirements
The no-fault grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. The grounds show that both parties share equal blame for the end of the marriage. No-fault divorce grounds don’t need evidence to support allegations and make uncontested divorces easier. However, the couple must agree to all terms to achieve an uncontested divorce.
Fault-Based Divorce Grounds and Requirements
Incarceration is a fault-based ground used in the state. The defendant’s sentence extends up to three years, and the petitioner cannot file for a divorce until the defendant has been in prison for one year. Defendants who are insane and have been committed to an institution must be in the facility for three years prior to the divorce petition. Adultery allegations are supported by clear evidence of sexual relations between the defendant and a party that isn’t their spouse.
Child Custody and Support
Child custody options include the standard joint or sole custody. Couples create their own arrangement when possible, but if they cannot agree, a judge makes the final decision. Child support calculations start with 35% of the noncustodial parent’s income for the first child. The court adds 5% for each additional child produced during the marriage.
In Maryland, divorce laws require the petitioner to meet specific terms before starting a case. The laws require residency for one year before the state takes jurisdiction over the case, and couples are separated for at least one year before filing. Petitioners who want more information about divorce and need advice from a law firm in Southern Maryland check out website domain right now.
