Frequently Asked Questions about Maryland Divorce

Every divorce is different. Your divorce is not the same as that of your friend, co-worker, or family member. Even if you have been divorced before, you may have unanswered questions. We offer below some answers to the most frequent questions we hear about divorce at the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram. To explore your case-specific divorce options, we invite you to contact our office at (301) 658-7354 to schedule a confidential consultation.

What are the grounds for divorce in Maryland?

In Maryland, there are several available grounds for divorce. Each of these grounds has specific factual requirements that must be met, and the grounds that you choose may impact other aspects of your case. It is important to speak with an attorney before filing suit so that you have a clear understanding of how the available grounds for divorce may affect your individual claims. The most common grounds for divorce in Maryland are:

1. Adultery
2. 12-Month Separation
3. Desertion
4. Cruelty of Treatment (towards a spouse or minor child)
5. Excessively Vicious Conduct (toward a spouse or minor child)

How long does it take to get a divorce?

How long it takes to get a divorce depends on a number of things, including:

1. Your grounds for divorce.
2. Where you live, where your spouse lives or works, and where you file suit.
3. The number of disputed issues in your case.

If you have a contested case, with no custody issues, on average it takes a minimum of twelve months from the date you first filed to obtain an absolute divorce.

The answers to these questions are general in nature and are not intended to create an attorney-client relationship or to replace specific legal advice.