title: "Maryland Divorce - Slim Packet v3"
state: "MD" | price: "$97" | updated: "2026-03-30"
Maryland Divorce Packet
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
ELIGIBILITY
- [ ] At least one spouse lived in MD for 1+ year before filing, OR grounds occurred in MD (file immediately)
- [ ] Filing in Circuit Court in your county
Grounds (Md. Family Law § 7-103):
- Mutual Consent: both spouses agree, no minor children OR full agreement on all issues — fastest, no wait
- 6-Month Separation: lived apart 6+ months, no hope of reconciliation
- Fault grounds: adultery, desertion (1 yr), cruelty/abuse, felony conviction with 3+ yr sentence
Key statutes: Grounds § 7-103 · Jurisdiction § 5-101 · Marital property §§ 8-201–203 · Alimony § 11-101 · Child custody § 9-101 · Child support § 12-201
File at: Circuit Court Clerk in your county · Fee: ~$150-200 · Fee waiver: Request for Waiver of Fees · Find your court: mdcourts.gov/circuit
REQUIRED FORMS
| Form | Required for | Get at |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint for Absolute Divorce | All divorces | mdcourts.gov/family/forms or clerk |
| Joint Petition for Divorce | Mutual consent only | Same |
| Civil Domestic Information Report | All divorces | Same |
| Financial Statement | Contested issues | Same |
| Marital Settlement Agreement | If settling property | Draft or use template |
| Affidavit of Separation | 6-month separation | Same |
| Parenting Plan | If children | Same |
| Child Support Worksheet | If children | Same |
| Request for Waiver of Fees | If cannot afford fee | Ask clerk |
FILING STEPS
- Determine grounds. Mutual consent is fastest. 6-month separation requires you to document living apart.
- Complete your forms. Mutual consent: Joint Petition + Marital Settlement Agreement + Parenting Plan (if children). Separation: Complaint + Affidavit of Separation + Financial Statement (if contested).
- File at Circuit Court. Bring: original + 2 copies, filing fee (~$150-200) or fee waiver request, photo ID. Get your case number.
- Serve your spouse (Complaint only — not Joint Petition). Sheriff ($25-50), certified mail with return receipt, or private process server ($40-100). File Affidavit of Service.
- Wait for response. Spouse has 30 days. No response → file Request for Order of Default.
- Attend hearing (most counties require one even for uncontested). Judge reviews papers, asks basic questions, signs Judgment.
- Get certified copies of Judgment. Update name (if changing) with Social Security, MVA, banks within 30 days.
FILING CHECKLIST
- [ ] Grounds confirmed (residency or grounds occurred in MD)
- [ ] Forms completed and signed
- [ ] 2 copies made
- [ ] Filing fee or fee waiver ready
- [ ] Photo ID
- [ ] Marriage certificate
- [ ] Service arranged (if Complaint)
- [ ] Attended hearing
- [ ] Certified copies of Judgment obtained
LEGAL AID
- Maryland Legal Aid (statewide): mdlab.org · 1-800-999-8904
- Women's Law Center of MD: wlcmd.org · (410) 321-8761
- House of Ruth MD (DV): hruth.org · 1-888-880-7884
- MD Courts Self-Help: mdcourts.gov/selfhelp · (410) 260-1394
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Verify current law before filing. For legal advice, contact a licensed MD attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*