No-Fault Divorce in Maryland
State-specific overview · Family Law
Maryland grants no-fault divorce after 12 months of separation or immediately with mutual consent and agreement.
How Maryland treats No-Fault Divorce
Maryland allows no-fault divorce either after 12 months of separation or immediately if both spouses mutually consent and file a joint petition with a signed settlement agreement. The 12-month separation requirement applies when one spouse files without the other's agreement. Maryland also recognizes fault grounds, which may allow faster divorce in some circumstances. Mutual consent divorces typically proceed more quickly, provided all issues—property, support, and custody—are resolved in writing.
The general definition of No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted without requiring either spouse to prove wrongdoing by the other.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce where neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong, like infidelity or abuse. Instead, one or both spouses simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that they have irreconcilable differences. This is the most common type of divorce in the United States today. No-fault divorces are generally faster and less contentious than fault-based divorces because they don't require gathering evidence of misconduct.
Read the full No-Fault Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.