If you and your spouse have decided that you no longer want to be married, you may agree to have an uncontested divorce. If you’re a Maryland resident, here are some important things to know about the divorce process.
Deciding how to divorce
If you are the petitioner or the person who will file the uncontested divorce, you’ll need to decide if you want to end the marriage with divorce, separation or annulment. If divorce is the best option, you can check to see if you qualify for a summary dissolution. As a California resident, you’ll also need to see if you can file for your divorce within your county or if you’ll need to undergo special procedures to finalize your divorce.
Talk to your spouse
If possible, speak with your soon-to-be ex and come to an agreement about the terms of your legal separation or uncontested divorce. This can reduce the amount of time you have to spend in court, which can save you money.
Complete and file the necessary forms
Fill out all the required forms; they can be downloaded online. Once the documents are complete, your spouse will be served with the divorce papers. Your spouse can then decide if they want to file a response in court. Your spouse will have 30 days from the time they are served the divorce papers to file a response.
Preliminary declaration of disclosure
During this part of the uncontested divorce process, you and your spouse will exchange financial documents to verify any debts or financial obligations that either of you has. This process will help you decide how to fairly divide your property and assets.
Once you’ve completed the declaration of disclosure, a judge will sign the judgment to declare you legally separated or divorced. The process may be lengthy depending on how long you and your spouse take to negotiate, but it’s important to complete each step for a smooth divorce.