The Divorce Process in Maryland - What to Do Before Filing for Divorce

 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.

While you will need an attorney to fully inform and advise you, there are generally five major areas that need to be decided in any divorce case: the reason (or grounds) for divorce; how marital property will be divided; alimony or spousal support; the custodial arrangement for any minor children; and child support. Read up on these issues so you have some knowledge of how they are decided in Maryland.

Of course there will be many more issues specific to your situation, but this group of issues is a starting point.

Gather Documents

Documentation is crucial when going through a divorce. This includes financial documentation, photographs, communications (emails, text messages, notes, etc.), school reports, health records, and other potential items that you and your attorney can discuss.

For property and financial decisions, you want to be able to evaluate income, assets, debts, and liabilities, so you can make informed decisions about what you need and want. Other documents like correspondence from schools, daycares, and medical professionals are key for custody and support issues.

These documents are important for discussing settlement with your spouse. They become just as important in the event you cannot come to a resolution and you need to have a court trial.

Gathering documents early gives you a head start, particularly because you will need these documents at some point anyways.

Have a Financial Plan

When you go through a divorce, your financial situation is going to change dramatically. You need to plan for the worst here, and hope for the best.

At some point you will want to open a separate bank account where you can deposit funds that your spouse can’t touch. You should check and monitor your credit regularly to make sure nothing goes unnoticed. Lastly, you should make sure your current accounts are protected from your spouse draining all your assets.

Using the information and documents you have gathered, you will also need to budget for your expenses, including living expenses, children’s expenses, and your attorney fees.

Make Child Custody a Priority

Many people delay getting a divorce because they believe it will be worse for their children. But in the majority of cases, staying together for the sake of the children ends up being more harmful in the long run.

Child custody issues generally revolve around parenting time and decision-making authority. The standard for deciding these issues is what is in your children’s best interest.

You should think about what an ideal custody schedule looks like for your children and for you. Additionally, you should think about how important decisions will be made for your children, and whether those decisions can or should be made jointly with your spouse. Lastly, you should think about how you and your spouse will interact and communicate about your children.

Build a Support System

Going through a divorce is hard. It sucks. There is no shortcut around that. You will experience highs and lows resulting from the end of your marital relationship.

As with any type of turmoil in your life, having adequate support is imperative. Identify and turn to people you trust, friends, families, and professionals, to help you through this difficult time. You may even want to give them a small snippet of the divorce process and what you are going through, so they will know how to support you.

Your support network will also help your children, who need a distraction from the disruption in their lives.

Meet With Columbia, MD Divorce Attorney

You can meet with an attorney anytime during the divorce process, but hiring an attorney early will always be better. Even if you haven’t done anything on this list, it is still imperative that you meet with a divorce lawyer and that you don’t underestimate the importance of a good divorce attorney.

You should be comfortable with whoever you consult with and hire. Your lawyer should advise you on your property, financial, and custodial rights, while comfortably guiding you through the divorce process. Your attorney can guide you through the foregoing steps. Your lawyer can also identify other important steps you will need to take, steps that are specific to your situation.

A good Maryland divorce lawyer can make the entire divorce process so much easier to navigate and can help you get the results you need and deserve. And if you aren’t happy with your current lawyer, you can always choose to switch to another one who is a better fit for you.

Call DM Family Law at 443-545-8100 today.