This is part 3 of a 3 part series.
Divorce has three stages:
Deciding on Divorce, Negotiating a Separation, and the Divorce with a Capital D.
Part Three – Divorce with a Capital D
In Maryland, a final divorce (known as an Absolute Divorce) is granted by a judge (and a judge only) in what is known as the Divorce Decree, or a Judgment of Absolute Divorce. We call this “Divorce with a capital D.”
Couples can be separated — meaning they have paused or terminated their marital relationship — without being Divorced (with a capital ‘D’). Many couples, for emotional, religious, or other financial reasons, agree to terminate their marital relationship without getting Divorced. But most couples, once entering into their separation agreement or marital settlement agreement, proceed with Divorce (with a capital D).
As Maryland requires a judge to sign the Divorce Decree, couples must file a lawsuit in the appropriate Circuit Court. Again, couples can navigate this process alone (a “pro se divorce”), can hire a divorce attorney, or, if they work with a divorce mediator from Maryland Divorce Mediators, can receive all of the appropriate court forms and have a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney mediator to review the Divorce process.
Recently Maryland enacted a new divorce law allowing couples to get divorced on an expedited basis — without any waiting period. Couples wishing to take advantage of this new Mutual Consent Divorce law need to have a signed written settlement agreement (see Part 2) that will be submitted to the court for approval.
We know this process can be overwhelming, which is why we’re here to help. You don’t need to go at it alone — which can be cheap, but also extremely frustrating, taxing, and exhausting. But you also don’t need to hire an expensive divorce attorney that will set you back tens-of-thousands of dollars and take months or years. At Maryland Divorce Mediators, we offer experienced divorce attorney mediators to work with couples together, at a fraction of the time and cost of a traditional divorce process.
Please reach out to us today for a free consultation with a divorce attorney mediator.