Posted on January 28, 2026 in Divorce

Simply stated, getting a divorce is usually expensive. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not being completely forthcoming. But what does that mean – expensive? Expensive to me doesn’t necessarily mean expensive to you, and vice versa.

The actual, and somewhat unfortunate, answer to the question: "How much does divorce cost in Maryland?" is: "It depends." The cost depends on the issues arising out of your separation and divorce and it depends on how much you and your spouse agree (or disagree) about how to fairly resolve those issues.

It is unfortunate because the answer does nothing to provide clarity or ease your anxiety when it comes to planning for the financial ramifications of a divorce. Most people are shocked at how quickly the fees and costs increase during a divorce. Oftentimes, this shock is the result of unrealistic expectations and misinformation. People speak to the wrong advisors, compare their situation to someone else’s situation, ask the wrong questions, and rely too much on the internet for information.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 19, 2026 in Divorce

After filing for divorce in Maryland, it can take anywhere from a couple of months to a year or more for the divorce to be finalized with the Court signing a Judgment of Absolute Divorce. The timeframe depends on the level of acrimony or contention between you and your spouse, the issues involved, and whether you are able to come to an agreement on those issues.

At the outset, it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen after you file for divorce. Every situation is different. The initial steps tend to be the same, but the course your case will take after that can vary significantly based on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, if there are children involved, and the specific circumstances of your situation.

But you have filed for divorce in Maryland in 2026. Now what? Our Columbia, MD divorce attorney can answer your questions.

Writ of Summons

After you file the Complaint for Absolute Divorce, the Court will process your filing and issue a Writ of Summons with a case number. The Summons is a document that is directed to your spouse and which tells your spouse that a divorce case has been filed. It will also tell your spouse when a response to the Complaint must be filed with the Maryland Court. You have 60 days to properly serve the Summons along with the Complaint.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 19, 2026 in Child Support

When your spouse or co-parent is sentenced to jail or prison, it can be hard not to panic. You may have questions about how you are supposed to keep getting child support if your coparent is incarcerated. If you are dealing with this situation in 2026, our Columbia, MD child support attorney can help you understand your options.

Does My Spouse Still Owe Child Support While in Jail or Prison?

Yes. Under Maryland law, child support orders stay the same until a court officially modifies or ends them. Even if your spouse cannot work while incarcerated, the support order continues.

Child support does not automatically stop when a parent goes to jail or prison. Unpaid child support will accumulate as "arrears," or debt. Interest may also be added. 

This situation affects many families. According to the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 50 percent of inmates are parents, and 20 percent have child support orders. Maryland law recognizes that incarceration can affect a parent's ability to pay, but if either spouse wants a change to the orders, the parent who is in jail or prison must ask the court to modify them. The court will not automatically reduce payments just because someone is incarcerated.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 12, 2026 in Divorce

Filing for divorce in Maryland involves more than just filling out a form and giving it to a Court Clerk. In addition to the emotional complexities involved with opening a divorce case, there are a number of other variables you must consider.

Hopefully by the time you are filing for divorce, you have consulted with a Maryland divorce lawyer. Regardless, an experienced attorney can help you through the divorce filing process.

Divorce cases in Maryland are filed in the Circuit Court, which generally has exclusive jurisdiction over family law matters, not the District Court. You should consult with your attorney to determine which Circuit Court is appropriate for your filing.

Grounds for Divorce

If you want to file for divorce in Maryland, you must have a justification (or grounds) for your filing. Maryland eliminated "fault" grounds for divorce in 2023, and limited the permissible justification to three "no fault" grounds for divorce:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 05, 2026 in Divorce

After days, weeks, months, or even years of reflecting, you finally made the decision. You are getting a divorce from your spouse. Whatever your reason is, the divorce process can be overwhelming.

Splitting up with your spouse and moving on with your life is extraordinarily emotional. Figuring out your financial picture and dividing marital assets is challenging. Determining a custodial arrangement for your kids is both difficult and heartbreaking.

You need all the help you can get to make it through the divorce process and come out stronger on the other side. Our Columbia divorce attorney can help. While no list is exhaustive, below are some things you can do to prepare for your divorce.

Do Your Research

Knowledge is power. The more information you have about divorce in Maryland, the more equipped you will be to handle whatever the divorce process throws your way.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 17, 2025 in Child Support

Divorce changes your family structure, but it does not change your children's needs. For parents in Maryland, understanding child support obligations helps you plan for your financial future. More importantly, it helps ensure your children get the financial support they deserve during and after the divorce process.

Child support in Maryland divorce cases is calculated using state guidelines that consider:

• Both parents' incomes

• The number of children

• Whether a parent is already making support payments to another family

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly 45 percent of parents get the full amount of child support they need. Even if you are worried you aren’t going to get your ex to make payments, you should talk to an attorney. Our Clarksville, MD child support and child custody lawyer will help you understand how these payments work.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 15, 2025 in Divorce

Finding out your spouse cheated changes everything. The betrayal hurts deeply. When you decide to divorce, you might wonder if the affair matters in court. Will the judge care that your spouse broke your wedding vows? Can you use adultery to get a better outcome in your divorce?

How adultery affects your case depends on what you are trying to achieve. Understanding when adultery matters and when it does not can help you set realistic expectations for your divorce. Our Columbia, MD divorce attorney can help.

Can You Get Divorced in Maryland Because of Adultery?

Maryland law no longer allows fault-based divorce. As of November 2025, there are still only three grounds for divorce listed in Maryland Code, Family Law Section 7-103: a six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 09, 2025 in Child Custody

Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a family can go through. Unfortunately, children often feel the effects of divorce the most. Parents all over Maryland often ask how they can help their children get through the big changes that divorce brings with as little stress as possible.

While you cannot prevent children from dealing with all the challenges of divorce, there are absolutely strategies to support them and make it easier. At DM Family Law, our Columbia, MD divorce attorney has over 20 years of experience in family law and works closely with clients to create practical, client-focused solutions. Every family is unique, and we take a personal approach to help parents protect their children while navigating the legal process.

How Should I Bring Up Divorce with My Kids? 

Before you start talking about divorce with your kids, think carefully about the following factors for each of them:

Continue Reading ››