Maryland Divorce Attorney

How to File for Divorce in Maryland

Seek Assistance from Our Caring and Dedicated Maryland Divorce Attorneys.

Divorce is a very difficult experience that is usually filled with emotional distress and financial challenges. However, the divorce process can be made more bearable with the assistance of our caring and compassionate Maryland divorce attorneys. At the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman Salvado, we aim to simplify the divorce process for our clients, ensuring the process is as swift, smooth, and cost-effective as possible. We focus on helping our clients transition into their next chapter of life, working hard to make sure they receive what they deserve in terms of receiving spousal support, dividing assets, managing child support, and arranging child custody.

Our approach to divorce law is centered on collaboration and understanding. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your specific needs, and vigorously advocate for your legal rights as you navigate the end of your marriage. Our goal is to provide the support you need to embark on your new life with financial security and the company of your loved ones. For more information about our family law services, please feel free to contact us at (301) 340-1911.

In-Depth Family Law Experience at Sandra Guzman-Salvado Law Offices

Sandra Guzman-Salvado, the founder of our law firm, first delved into Maryland family law during her internship at the Legal Aid Bureau’s Baltimore City office, focusing on Domestic and Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases during her tenure at the University of Baltimore School of Law. After graduation, she honed her family law skills at the Legal Aid Bureau’s Metropolitan Office in Riverdale, Maryland. She later served as the Managing Family Law Attorney at a renowned firm for over four years.

At the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado, LLC, we provide sensitive, attentive, and forthright legal services during the most challenging period in a person’s life. We recognize the gravity of filing for divorce and the emotional turmoil that often accompanies it. Our legal team is dedicated to guiding clients through the divorce process, clarifying each stage and what to expect, helping alleviate some of the inherent stress and uncertainty.

Our family law attorneys are committed to leveraging various resources, including court experts and evaluations. We emphasize alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and facilitation, especially in resolving complex custody disputes. We aim to gather comprehensive information through the discovery process to ensure issues related to alimony or property division are resolved fairly and equitably.

Updated Maryland Divorce Legislation as of October 2023

As of October 1, 2023, Maryland has implemented significant reforms in its divorce laws to streamline the divorce process for a smoother and less contentious experience. These changes include the removal of limited divorces and modifications to the criteria for obtaining an absolute divorce. This shift focuses on reducing the adversarial nature of divorce proceedings, impacting those going through a separation, as well as legal professionals and judges in the state.

Key Points

• Maryland’s revised divorce laws have done away with limited divorces and simplified the requirements for an absolute divorce.
• Consulting a legal professional is crucial to navigate these new laws and to develop a child-centered parenting plan when applicable.
• Couples cohabiting can now satisfy the separation criteria for an absolute divorce in Maryland by maintaining distinct living spaces, finances, and daily routines.

Simplification of Maryland Divorce Laws

The Maryland divorce process is now more straightforward, with fewer requirements, following the introduction of the “Family Law – Grounds for Divorce” legislation. This law replaces limited divorces with absolute divorces, focusing on resolution over fault assignment. The grounds for fault-based divorces have been modified, making it easier to pursue a dissolution without blame. Temporary relief is no longer available, emphasizing the importance of finalizing separations through divorce proceedings.

Elimination of Limited Divorce

Previously, limited divorce (or legal separation) in Maryland provided temporary relief for issues like child custody and alimony without ending the marriage. As of October 1, 2023, this option for “temporary relief” is no longer available, posing challenges for those who previously relied on this process. However, this change simplifies the divorce procedure by focusing on permanent resolutions through absolute divorces.

Modifications to Absolute Divorce

The new law adjusts absolute divorce procedures, shortening the separation period from 12 to 6 months and enabling no-fault divorce under conditions like mutual consent. This change aids individuals unable to maintain separate households during the separation period, allowing them to cohabit while living separate lives for divorce eligibility.

Impact of the New Legislation on Maryland Divorce Laws

The recent changes in Maryland’s divorce laws remove the concept of limited divorce and allow for no-fault divorce grounds, such as irreconcilable differences, with a 6-month uninterrupted living apart period necessary for absolute divorce. This aims to simplify the divorce process and reduce conflict.

Implications of Limited Divorce Elimination

With the abolition of limited divorce in Maryland, couples in the midst of separation face challenges, as they can no longer set up temporary support systems. However, this change streamlines the divorce process by eliminating the need to choose between limited and absolute divorce types.

Adjustments in Absolute Divorce Procedures

The new law in Maryland revises absolute divorce procedures, reducing the separation period and making divorce more accessible for couples. This change facilitates a smoother process for those seeking divorce, especially for those unable to afford separate residences during the separation phase.

Call Now To Discuss Your Options (301) 340-1911

Navigating Maryland’s New Divorce Laws

Understanding and adapting to Maryland’s amended divorce laws is essential. Consulting with our experienced legal counsel is advisable to ensure compliance with the new regulations and to achieve an informed and fair resolution in the divorce process.

To summarize, Maryland’s divorce law reforms, effective October 2023, streamline the divorce process by eliminating limited divorces and simplifying absolute divorce requirements. These changes emphasize solution-focused approaches over fault-finding, potentially easing the emotional and legal burdens of divorce. Individuals navigating these changes should seek legal advice to understand the specific implications of their situation.

Contact Our Maryland Divorce Lawyers For Assistance

Our Maryland divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman Salvado, provide exceptional legal services to clients throughout Montgomery, Frederick, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Howard counties. We have law offices strategically located in Bethesda, Frederick, Greenbelt, and Rockville, Maryland to provide convenient and accessible legal representation.

If you have been served with divorce papers, or if you want to understand how to file for divorce, contact our Maryland family law Attorneys at the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman Salvado at (301) 340-1911.