Divorce is never pleasant; avoid it, if possible.

What are the grounds for divorce in Maryland?

(1) Adultery;

(2) Desertion, if: (i) the desertion has continued for 12 months without interruption before the filing of the application for divorce; (ii) the desertion is deliberate and final; and (iii) there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation;

(3) Voluntary separation, if: (i) the parties voluntarily have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for 12 months without interruption before the filing of the application for divorce; and (ii) there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation;

(4) Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor in any state or in any court of the United States if before the filing of the application for divorce the defendant has: (i) been sentenced to serve at least 3 years or an indeterminate sentence in a penal institution; and (ii) served 12 months of the sentence;

(5) 2-year separation, when the parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for 2 years without interruption before the filing of the application for divorce;

(6) Insanity if: (i) the insane spouse has been confined in a mental institution, hospital, or other similar institution for at least 3 years before the filing of the application for divorce; (ii) the court determines from the testimony of at least 2 physicians who are competent in psychiatry that the insanity is incurable and there is no hope of recovery; and (iii) 1 of the parties has been a resident of this State for at least 2 years before the filing of the application for divorce;

(7) Cruelty of treatment toward the complaining party or a minor child of the complaining party, if there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation; or

(8) Excessively vicious conduct toward the complaining party or a minor child of the complaining party, if there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation.

In any case, dissolving a marriage can be complicated, tiresome and confusing. Legal counsel is recommended to help sort out the issues of child custody, fair distribution of marital property, visitation and alimony.

Seeking the experienced legal counsel of Jan O'Connor is the first step to tailoring your personal needs to the overall process of separation and divorce in Maryland as well as easing the complications and frustrations so often involved.

Call Jan today 410.964.1331

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