Columbia, MD Divorce Lawyers
Columbia, MD Divorce Lawyers
When you are beginning the process of divorce, you probably have a laundry list of questions, concerns, and frustrations that are making you uncertain about what the future holds. Though divorce can be intimidating, our Columbia divorce lawyers can make your experience not only manageable, but transformative!
At Z Family Law, we offer personalized divorce solutions tailored to fit your particular needs. We leverage the experience of our whole team when it comes to helping each of our clients so that your legal care is comprehensive and backed by the weight of our qualified professionals. We can help you turn all of your apprehension into determination and, even better, hope for a better future!
When you work with Z Family Law, we partner with you to advocate for you throughout the process, ensure that you are protected from predatory practices, and even offer post-legal services to help you address other aspects of your new life and needs. Our Client Concierge service can connect you with local service partners who can help you handle all of your needs from child and pet care to financial preparedness to alternative living arrangements and more.
Working with Z Family Law allows you to pursue divorce with confidence, knowing that you have a legal partner and advocate with a genuine investment in your future and well-being. Schedule a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more about what we offer and get started with us!
What You Need To Know About Divorce In Maryland
In Maryland, no-fault divorce means that you do not have to prove fault within your marriage in order to access divorce. That being said, you will have to cite legally valid grounds for your divorce:
- Irreconcilable differences: If you and your spouse have hit an impasse within your marriage that simply cannot be resolved, you can cite irreconcilable differences as your reason for divorce.
- 6-month separation: If you and your spouse have already been separated for six months or more, you can pursue divorce based on this fact. It is important to note that even if you are living together, you can still count your living arrangement as separated as long as you both pursue separate lives.
- Mutual consent: If you and your spouse can submit in writing that you are mutually choosing to dissolve your marriage, you can use this as the basis for your divorce, provided you can prove that you agree (in writing) on all terms including child custody, support, and asset division.
Although Maryland is a no-fault divorce state, that doesn’t mean you can’t allege fault if your spouse’s wrongdoing led to the end of your marriage. If you are, for example, a victim of abuse or adultery or some other fault, you can allege these issues in court and provide evidence in order to potentially get a better settlement than otherwise.
Our experienced Columbia divorce lawyers can help you gather evidence and make your case, so be sure to ask about how we can support your claims and advocate on your behalf no matter what path to divorce you choose to take!
Our Columbia Divorce Lawyers Can Make All The Difference In Your Case
At Z Family Law, we do not think of divorce as an ending, but as an opportunity. We want to help you get what you need out of the legal process and set yourself up for success for the next phase of your life. Reach out for a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can begin the process that will set you on the path to your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to court in order to get divorced?
No. If your divorce is uncontested, meaning you and your spouse are in alignment on the terms of your divorce, you can settle out of court without the involvement of a judge (though you will still have to briefly appear in court for a short hearing to finalize your settlement and obtain a judgment of absolute divorce). However, we highly recommend every divorcing couple review their marital settlement agreement with a family law attorney before signing it, just to make sure you know what you are agreeing to!
How can I prove fault in my divorce?
If you want to allege some fault that led to the breakdown of your marriage such as adultery, abandonment, abuse, mental health issues, or substance addiction, you should do all you can to document the incident(s) including saving any kind of relevant communications such as texts or emails. Speak with our lawyers about your options, and we will begin the process of making a case for your interests.
Is Maryland a community property state?
No, Maryland is an equitable distribution state, meaning that any property acquired during the marriage (marital property) will be divided equitably but necessarily equally in a divorce.