Photo of The Talbot County Courthouse, in Easton, Maryland
We Want To Protect Your Rights And Interests

First Steps in Divorce: Moving Forward with Courage

On Behalf of | Jan 22, 2014 | Divorce

Couples expect that their marriages will last forever. Coming to the decision to end a marriage is emotionally challenging. It is made more difficult when adding to that the wide range of legal issues that come with this life-altering decision.

Once a spouse informs the other that they want a separation and no longer wish to continue with the marriage, the legal process of getting a divorce is set in motion.

Most people know the end result of getting a divorce but have no idea how to start the process. There are no set-in-stone rules for pursuing a divorce because no two divorces are the same. Divorces involve personalities, communication styles and practical circumstances which are intricately interwoven into the Maryland divorce process.

Asking these simple questions can help couples take the first steps in divorce:

What are the grounds for divorce?

A Maryland fault-based divorce may be granted when a spouse can prove that one of the following occurred during the marriage: adultery, cruelty, desertion, abandonment, insanity, or criminal conviction.

The legal grounds to grant a no-fault divorce are simply the breakdown of a marriage, incompatibility, or irreconcilable differences. In Maryland however, the couple must have lived apart for at least a year with no instances of sexual relations for the no-fault divorce to be granted.

Will the divorce be a contested or uncontested divorce?

Issues like property division, child support, alimony, and visitation all have to be resolved before the divorce can be finalized. A contested divorce means that spouses fundamentally disagree on these issues and cannot resolve them without court intervention. An uncontested divorce means that they have reached an agreement outside of court.

How will disputes about property division, child support, alimony, or visitation be resolved?

These issues can be resolved in a variety of ways. Some couples choose to simply work through issues by having a “kitchen table” discussion. For others, that would not be effective. Some couples choose to pursue mediation. Mediation involves a third party mediator that helps the couple come to a divorce settlement without involving the courts. Some couple’s will go back and forth between their attorneys before reaching a settlement. Lastly, when couples simply cannot come to a divorce settlement they can choose courtroom litigation.

Hire a lawyer?

One, both or neither of the spouses can hire a lawyer. For some of the options above, like courtroom litigation, it is generally recommended to have a lawyer. But for other situations, such as mediation, having legal representation is up to the discretion of each party. Many mediators are, in fact, lawyers. They are just not an advocate for either party’s position.

Years of an unhappy marriage can leave one feeling like they cannot effectively defend or communicate their wants and needs to their spouse, much less their legal rights. This is among the primary reasons why many parties hire a lawyer. Many people, going through a divorce, feel more confident with an experienced Maryland family law attorney on their side advocating their position.

The individual circumstances that lead a couple to divorce should be a strong indicator of how to pursue a divorce.

For more information about the first steps to take in a divorce or for information regarding mediation services please contact Phillip Cronan or William Hollis at Hollis, Cronan, and Fronk, P.A. Mr. Cronan and Mr. Hollis are experienced Maryland attorneys. Mr. Hollis is a certified mediator and is able to mediate all aspects of family law.

Archives