This is about filing your own divorce in Maryland, including how hard it is to file your own divorce in Maryland, what divorce papers need to be filed, and what the filing fees are for divorce in Maryland.
This information is from James J. Gross, the DivorceInfo Network Lawyer for Maryland. Click here to visit his firm’s web site.
- How hard is it to file my own divorce?
- What are the papers that need to be filed?
- What’s the filing fee for a divorce?
How hard is it to file my own divorce?
A number of divorce cases are granted by the courts each year with no lawyers involved. If you have an uncontested divorce, with a little patience and persistence, you should be able to complete your own divorce. If you represent yourself, you will be a pro se litigant. Pro se is Latin meaning by yourself or on your own behalf. Several courts have established pro se desks to help you with forms and instructions.
What are the papers that need to be filed?
Every divorce that’s filed as uncontested requires the following:
* Report of Absolute Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (the “blue form”). This is statistical information for your divorce.
* Separation Agreement. Recommended even if you have no property to divide.
* Marriage Certificate. Original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, or a witness who was present at your wedding.
* Witness Information Form. Some courts require your corroborating witness to print his or her name and address on a form and mark whether the witness is for the plaintiff or defendant.
* Your Testimony
* Corroborating Witness Testimony.
* Submission to Judgment. Filed if you and your spouse want to waive the ten day period for filing exceptions so that your divorce becomes final earlier.
And if you have minor children, you will also need to file a Financial Statement on the court’s form for each party, and a child support guidelines worksheet.
Click here to get a full package of the forms needed.
What’s the filing fee for a divorce?
$90.00.
Other issues in Maryland: