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Maryland Legal Requirements for Divorce
Explanation of Chart and More Information on Requirements for Divorce
| Code Section | Fam. Law §7-101-103 |
| Residency Requirements | If grounds occurred outside the state, one party must have resided in state 1 yr. before filing. |
| Waiting Period | Upon meeting requirements, absolute divorce granted. |
| 'No Fault' Grounds for Divorce | Separation (2 yrs. or voluntary for 12 months); limited divorce for cruelty, vicious conduct; separation; desertion. |
| Defenses to a Divorce Filing | Recrimination or condonation is factor but not absolute bar. |
| Other Grounds for Divorce | Adultery; desertion for 12 mos. without interruption; insanity (confined for 3 yrs.); conviction of crime (sentenced for at least 3 yrs. and served at least 12 months); cruelty, excessively vicious conduct; voluntary separation grounds for limited divorce. |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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