Maryland Divorce Laws -
What to Expect When Help Yourself Divorce Prepares Your Maryland Divorce

Grounds for Divorce.
When Help Yourself Divorce prepares your divorce papers, your divorce will be filed on the grounds that you've been living separate and apart for 12 months.

 

Residency Requirements.
Maryland laws require at least one party to have resided in the state of Maryland for one year before the divorce papers are filed, if the grounds for divorce occurred outside the state. If the grounds for divorce occurred within the state of Maryland, there are no residency requirements but at least one spouse must be a resident of the state of Maryland.

 

Filing for Divorce.
The divorce papers may be filed in the Maryland county where either spouse resides.

 

Service.
After filing the divorce papers with the Court, you must "serve" your spouse with the papers. Service is made by having someone other than yourself, who is at least 18 years old, serve the papers upon your spouse. This can be done by Sheriff, process server, or 3rd party via certified mail, restricted delivery, return-receipt requested.

 

Waiting Period/Final Hearing.
There is no specified waiting period under Maryland laws before your final divorce hearing may be held. How long it takes to obtain a hearing will depend on the schedule of the court. Both spouses will typically be required to attend the final hearing.

 

 

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IMPORTANT: Help Yourself Divorce is a paralegal service, not a law firm. Seek help from an attorney if you need legal advice.