Why Divorce.com?
Benefits of an online divorce
Divorce.com is an affordable and fast online way to prepare forms for an uncontested divorce. It allows spouses to inexpensively and safely complete pre-divorce preparations without a lawyer in the comfort of their home.
With Divorce.com, you will get customized divorce papers, a free detailed filing guide, and quality service. In addition, with Divorce.com, you no longer have to deal with local Family Law requirements and decipher legal terminology.
The online platform works on any device and is available anywhere and anytime. All you need to do is follow these easy steps:
Fill out a divorce and marriage-related questionnaire. Take breaks if necessary - the system saves your progress.
Edit your answers an unlimited number of times to ensure they are correct before submitting.
Download and print ready-to-sign PDF forms that are available in your account in just two business days.
Divorce.com is your trusted assistant for an uncontested divorce.
Maryland
Divorce Forms
All the forms required
The list of basic forms for an uncontested divorce in Maryland may include but is not limited to:
Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020)
Complaint for Limited Divorce (CC-DR-021)
Answer (CC-DR-050)
Limited Divorce (CC-DR-111)
Civil Domestic Information Report (CC-DCM-001)
Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Marital and Non-Marital Property (CC-DR-033)
Notice Regarding Restricted Information Pursuant to Rule 20-201.1 (MDJ-008)
Financial Statement (Child Support Guidelines) (CC-DR-030)
Civil Domestic Case Information Report (CC-DCM-001)
Financial Statement (General) (CC-DR-031)
Request for Order of Default (CC-DR-054)
Affidavit of Service (Private Process) (CC-DR-055)
Affidavit of Service (Certified Mail Restricted Delivery-Receipt Requested) (CC-DR-056)
Certificate of Service (CC-DR-058)
Request for Hearing or Proceeding (CC-DR-059)
Notice - Alternate Service (CC-DR-072)
Supplemental Page to Family Law forms (CC-DR-076)
Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109)
Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time (CC-DR-110)
Petition for Contempt (CC-DR-112)
The list of divorce forms may vary depending on the case circumstances, the presence of minor children, and extensive property with debts. In addition, some Maryland counties may request specific local forms.
Steps to consider
Filing Requirements
Residency Requirements
To file for divorce in Maryland, at least one of the spouses must be a state resident for at least six months before filing. Proof of residency can include driver's licenses, tax filings, or witness statements. Without meeting these requirements, Maryland has no jurisdiction.
Grounds for Divorce
Maryland allows three grounds: 6-Month Separation (living separate and apart without interruption), Irreconcilable Differences (fundamental conflicts preventing cohabitation), and Mutual Consent (both spouses agree and sign a marital settlement agreement covering alimony, property, and child matters).
Initial Filing
The petitioner must file a Petition and Summons with the local court in the county where one spouse resides. Filing can be done in person or through the electronic filing system, if available in the county.
Filing Fees
Average filing fees in Maryland are approximately $215, though costs vary by county. Low-income spouses may submit a Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs to the court for fee relief.
Serving the Respondent
After filing, the petitioner must notify the other spouse through: hiring a sheriff, publishing in a local newspaper, or certified mail with return receipt. Alternative service options exist for respondents in jail or military service.
Waiting Period
Maryland has no mandatory waiting period between filing and judgment. However, specific timeframes apply to grounds—for instance, no-fault divorces require 12 months voluntary or 24 months involuntary separation.
Finalizing a Divorce Case
Spouses must file a Request for Hearing (Form CC-DR-059) unless the court schedules automatically. Some counties require a joint request. In uncontested cases, the judge may grant divorce at the first hearing.
Filing basics
Filing for Divorce
Maryland
How to get started
The list of basic forms for an uncontested divorce in Maryland may include but is not limited to:
Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020)
Complaint for Limited Divorce (CC-DR-021)
Answer (CC-DR-050)
Limited Divorce (CC-DR-111)
Civil Domestic Information Report (CC-DCM-001)
Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Marital and Non-Marital Property (CC-DR-033)
Notice Regarding Restricted Information Pursuant to Rule 20-201.1 (MDJ-008)
Financial Statement (Child Support Guidelines) (CC-DR-030)
Civil Domestic Case Information Report (CC-DCM-001)
Financial Statement (General) (CC-DR-031)
Request for Order of Default (CC-DR-054)
Affidavit of Service (Private Process) (CC-DR-055)
Affidavit of Service (Certified Mail Restricted Delivery-Receipt Requested) (CC-DR-056)
Certificate of Service (CC-DR-058)
Request for Hearing or Proceeding (CC-DR-059)
Notice - Alternate Service (CC-DR-072)
Supplemental Page to Family Law forms (CC-DR-076)
Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109)
Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time (CC-DR-110)
Petition for Contempt (CC-DR-112)
The list of divorce forms may vary depending on the case circumstances, the presence of minor children, and extensive property with debts. In addition, some Maryland counties may request specific local forms.
Custody Basics
In Maryland, the court divides custody issues into physical and legal.
Physical custody refers to where the child resides.
Legal custody gives the parent the right to make crucial decisions such as religion, education, and medical treatment on the kid’s behalf.
In addition, the court divides custody, depending on the rights and obligations of each parent.
In sole custody, the custodial parent is only responsible for the child.
In joint custody, both parents are responsible for the child’s welfare.
Parents can resolve the custody issues independently by submitting the parental plan to the judge for approval. If the parents disagree, the court will consider the case circumstances and decide based on the child’s best interests.
The judge may consider the following factors:
the child’s preference
the age, health, and sex of the child
the length of the child’s separation from the parent
the character and reputation of each parent
the material opportunities each parent can offer affecting the child’s future
the child’s attachment to school, home, and society
the relationship of the child with parents and family members
the residences of each parent, including opportunities for visitation and geographic proximity of the parental homes.
In addition, the court may order parents to complete parenting courses before receiving a custody decree.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce means that both spouses have reached an agreement regarding the property division, child custody, spousal support, and other divorce-related matters, and have signed a Settlement Agreement.
If spouses have minor disputes regarding divorce terms, they may turn to mediation. Mediation can help them resolve disputes out of court and get an amicable divorce.
If the spouses seek to cooperate, mediation will take no more than a few weeks. Since the mediator is a neutral third party, they will try to find the best compromise and solution that satisfies each party.
In an uncontested divorce, spouses may also do a DIY divorce. However, partners without legal training may experience difficulties in the pre-divorce stage. Divorce.com can help couples get through paperwork by saving them time, money, and nerves.
Support Basics
In Maryland, both parents are responsible for their children’s support, welfare, care, and education until they graduate from high school or are 19 years old.
The support share that each parent must pay is calculated following the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. Payments are based on the combined actual income of both parents. Even if a co-parent is unemployed, the court calculates child support, based on a determination of potential income.
