Annapolis Divorce Attorneys

Compassionate Divorce Attorneys Representing Clients in Annapolis, Maryland

A divorce can come with much heartache and a multitude of legal issues. Whether you are in the middle of a pending divorce or have yet to file for divorce, having a skilled attorney at your side can help to alleviate your concerns. An Annapolis divorce lawyer can provide you with counsel and advocacy to address your most pressing issues.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we are here to protect your rights during a divorce. With over 50 years of shared legal experience, our attorneys can review your case from all angles, working toward an ideal outcome to meet your needs and protect your future.

Filing for Divorce

In Maryland, you must meet certain requirements before you can move forward with a divorce. Presently, Maryland only recognizes "absolute divorce," which can be granted if any one of the following conditions are met:

• You and your spouse have lived separately for six months or more
• You and your spouse have "irreconcilable differences" based on issues that cannot be resolved
• You and your spouse mutually agree to a divorce

Maryland is a no-fault divorce state, so you cannot cite marital misconduct as a reason to end your marriage. However, elements of fault like adultery can still factor into your divorce. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can advise you of what to expect during your divorce and pursue the best possible solution. If you and your spouse are on civil terms with one another, you might be interested in mediation outside of court, which can save you precious time and money.

Alimony

Alimony, or spousal support, is a court order that can compel one spouse to provide the other with financial assistance. The court will make a decision based on what is "fair and equitable" to all parties, factoring in:

• The ability of the spouse seeking alimony to become financially independent
• The time it will take for the spouse seeking alimony to get education or training for suitable employment
• The standard of living both spouses became used to during the marriage
• The length of the marriage
• Contributions (monetary or otherwise) to the marriage
• The circumstances that led to the divorce
• The age and health of each party
• The ability of the paying spouse to meet their own needs while paying for alimony
• Any agreement between the parties
• The economic needs of each party and the financial resources available to them

The court may decide to award indefinite alimony if the spouse seeking alimony is unlikely to become self-supporting, or if the standard of living between the spouses would become "unconscionable disparate" after making all efforts to become financially independent. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can help you advocate for or against a court award of alimony based on your needs.

Property Division

Unless you have a valid premarital or postmarital agreement in place, the courts will divide all of your marital property, which consists of most property during the marriage except for gifts or inheritances. Your property will be divided in an equitable manner, taking into account similar factors to an alimony award such as the length of the marriage and each party's needs. Note that this does not necessarily mean your property will be divided cleanly in half.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we can help you advocate for your property rights, distinguishing between your marital and separate property to negotiate for a fair split.

Contact an Annapolis, MD Divorce Lawyer Today

Having a compassionate, qualified attorney at your side during a divorce can be a significant help. Our Annapolis family law attorneys have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the award of Super Lawyers and the rank of Silver Client Champion from Martindale Hubbell. To set up an initial consultation with Zide Law Group, LLC, call us at 410-760-9433 or contact us online.