Glen Burnie, MD Divorce Lawyers

Experienced Divorce Attorneys Representing Clients in Glen Burnie, Maryland

The prospect of getting a divorce can be intimidating. For many people, it represents a total change of circumstances and the end of a long chapter. With the help of a Glen Burnie divorce attorney, you can navigate the legal complexities that come with the dissolution of a marriage and work toward a favorable outcome.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, our attorneys have decades of shared experience handling complex divorce cases. When you work with our firm, you will receive clear counsel and representation to facilitate a smooth end to your marriage. We will take the time to understand your priorities so that we can better advocate for your needs.

Grounds for Divorce in Maryland

The state of Maryland only recognizes no-fault grounds for divorce, which may include:

• "Irreconcilable differences" between you and your spouse
• A six-month separation (even if living under the same roof)
• Mutual consent

Since there are no fault-based grounds for divorce in Maryland, you do not have to demonstrate that your spouse was responsible for the breakdown of your marriage. Although you no longer need to prove fault to get a divorce in Maryland, the court may still consider factors such as adultery, cruelty, or abandonment when deciding on alimony or property division.

Property Division

There are many ways to handle property division in your divorce. If you have a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in writing, you can divide up your marital property according to the terms you have specified, as long as the terms are legally valid and not grossly unfair to either party. Even without an agreement, you and your spouse could agree to handle property division outside of court and reach a settlement that satisfies both of you.

If you decide to take your property division case to court, the judge will divide your marital estate according to the principle of equitable distribution. When splitting up property and assets, the judge may consider the length of the marriage, the contributions that you and your spouse made to the marriage, and other factors in the interest of fairness.

Alimony

Spousal support, otherwise known as alimony, is not a given in Maryland. To qualify for financial assistance from your spouse, you will have to petition for it in court. The court may decide to award you alimony if you need the monetary support to get back on your feet after separating from your spouse. In some cases, alimony can be awarded indefinitely, though this is usually reserved for people who come from long marriages where becoming self-supporting is not realistic or feasible.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we represent clients on either side of alimony disputes. We can help you petition for or against an award of support based on your financial needs.

Child Custody

If you have any children caught between your divorce, you and your co-parent will have to figure out how custody should be allocated. The responsibilities of custody include both legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (residential responsibilities) in your child's life, which can be shared or awarded solely to you or your co-parent. Even if one parent has sole physical custody, visitation rights may still be awarded to the other, unless deemed unfit.

The courts are strictly concerned with the child's best interests in custody disputes. If a parent is found to be unfit to take care of their child, they could be denied custody. Our family law attorneys can help you advocate for your parental rights and preserve your relationship with your child.

Meet With a Glen Burnie, MD Divorce Lawyer

A pending divorce can be a significant source of stress. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our Glen Burnie divorce attorneys can help alleviate your concerns, providing you with representation and counsel for all of the relevant issues in your separation. Call us at 410-760-9433 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation today.