Columbia Divorce Lawyer

Reliable Divorce Attorney Representing Clients in Columbia, Maryland

Though many people tend to think of marriage as a permanent commitment, some sources estimate that anywhere between 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States end up divorcing at some point. If you are going through the end of your marriage, the right choice of legal representation matters. At DM Family Law, our Columbia divorce lawyer can provide you with the dedicated counsel and advocacy you need to get through your ordeal.

With over 20 years of experience in family law matters, you can rely on Attorney David Marquardt to attend to your needs during your divorce. Attorney Marquardt is qualified to handle a variety of divorce-related issues, whether you intend to settle outside of court or take your case to trial.

Divorce Issues We Handle

At DM Family Law, we have represented clients in numerous divorces over the years. We can help you handle different issues during the legal proceedings, such as:

  • Property Division: Figuring out how to split up your shared property with your spouse can be difficult, especially if you have a large marital estate. Our lawyer can represent you in negotiations for a property settlement or for a fair verdict in court.
  • Child Custody: We can represent you in disputes regarding the physical and legal custody of your children, speaking up for your parental rights.
  • Alimony: If you need financial assistance during or after the divorce proceedings, we can help you petition for an appropriate alimony award. We also represent clients who are being asked to pay alimony.
  • Child Support: Our firm represents parents with concerns about child support. If necessary, we can help you petition for modification or enforcement of an existing child support order.
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: Our attorney can help you draft a marital agreement to protect your best interests in the event of a divorce. During the divorce proceedings, we can review the legality of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement and argue on your behalf.
  • Contested Divorce: We can work to resolve disagreements between spouses in a divorce, pursuing an amicable settlement but preparing for trial if needed.
  • Military Divorce: Our firm can represent military members and their families in divorce cases.

Our attorney is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and he is well-versed in the specific divorce laws for each location. When you work with our firm, we will discuss your case one-on-one to craft a tailored strategy to reach the best possible outcome.

Filing for Divorce in Maryland

You can file for divorce in Maryland as long as you or your spouse is a resident of the state. The recognized grounds for divorce in Maryland are as follows:

  • Mutual agreement
  • A separation of six months or more
  • Irreconcilable differences

Note that if any of these grounds for divorce occurred outside of Maryland, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months by the time you filed for divorce.

Maryland does not recognize fault-based grounds for divorce, so you cannot hold your spouse accountable for the collapse of the marriage. That being said, elements of marital misconduct can affect your divorce in other ways. A judge may consider the circumstances leading up to the divorce in decisions about alimony, and cruel treatment may affect your right or your spouse's right to child custody if it impacts the child's well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorces in Columbia, Maryland

Q

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Maryland?

Answer:

Maryland is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not have to prove that your spouse was responsible for the end of your marriage. Under state law, there are three legal grounds for divorce, including:

  • A separation of six months or more
  • Irreconcilable differences
  • Mutual agreement

If you get a divorce based on a separation, you must live "separate and apart" for six months without interruption. You can still live under the same roof, but you and your spouse must otherwise lead your lives apart from one another. To cite irreconcilable differences, you must show that there is a fundamental issue in your marriage that cannot be resolved. Finally, if you want to divorce based on mutual consent, you must have a written settlement agreement in place that addresses all of the relevant issues in your divorce.

Q

What Is a Contested Divorce?

Answer:

When a couple cannot reach an agreement about the terms of the divorce, it is considered to be contested. By contrast, a divorce is considered uncontested when the couple is in mutual agreement about all relevant issues, such as property division, alimony, and custody.

Q

Why Are Prenups Important in Divorce Proceedings?

Answer:

A prenuptial agreement is a document that a couple can sign prior to getting married, detailing the terms of a possible divorce. Prenuptial agreements are often used to protect valuable separate property from becoming property of the marriage, such as an inheritance or family business. It can also specify whether or not one spouse should receive alimony, and how much.

Q

Will I Have to Pay Alimony to My Spouse?

Answer:

Alimony is not a guarantee in a Maryland divorce. You might only have to pay alimony if you and your spouse agree to it beforehand, or if your spouse petitions for an alimony award in court and the judge agrees that it is necessary.

Q

Who Gets to Keep the Children in a Maryland Divorce?

Answer:

The question of how to handle child custody in light of a divorce can be complicated. In Maryland, the courts do not show special preference to mothers or fathers. Instead, the judge will always rule in favor of the child's best interests. Sole custody may be awarded if one parent is unfit to take care of the child.

In a child custody case, you and your spouse will have to provide the court with a parenting plan that shows how you will allocate physical custody (parenting time) and legal custody (decision-making authority).

Q

Will Cheating Affect My Divorce in Maryland?

Answer:

Maryland does not recognize fault-based grounds for divorce, which means that you cannot hold your spouse accountable for the collapse of the marriage when filing for divorce. That being said, infidelity can affect a petition for alimony, as the judge may consider the circumstances behind the divorce when deciding whether alimony is appropriate, and if so, how much.

Contact a Columbia, MD Divorce Attorney Today

Seeking representation from a skilled attorney can make a significant difference in your divorce. At DM Family Law, we are vigilant about protecting your rights in both uncontested and contested divorces. To schedule a free initial consultation with our Columbia, Maryland divorce lawyer, call our offices at 443-545-8100 or contact our Columbia divorce attorney online today.

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