Divorce Resources in Maryland: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide

To file for divorce in Maryland, you must submit a Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020) to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where you or your spouse resides, or where your spouse works. Maryland recognizes three grounds for absolute divorce under Family Law § 7-103: mutual consent with a signed settlement agreement, irreconcilable differences, and 6-month separation. Attach the Civil Domestic Case Information Report (CC-DCM-001) to your complaint. If filing by mutual consent, attach a signed Marital Settlement Agreement (CC-DR-116) resolving all issues. The filing fee is $165, payable by cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. You may request a fee waiver if your household income is at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

After filing, you must serve your spouse through formal service of process. Maryland permits service by sheriff, private process server, or certified mail with restricted delivery. If the sheriff serves your spouse, the sheriff's office files proof of service automatically. For private process, file the Affidavit of Service (CC-DR-055); for certified mail, file CC-DR-056 with the signed return receipt attached. Your spouse has 30 days to respond if served in Maryland, 60 days if served in another state, or 90 days if served outside the United States under Maryland Rule 2-321. If your spouse fails to respond, file a Request for Order of Default (CC-DR-054).

Both parties must file financial disclosures under Maryland Rule 9-203(a). Use the Financial Statement (Child Support Guidelines) form CC-DR-030 when combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less, or the Financial Statement (General) form CC-DR-031 when income exceeds $30,000. The long-form CC-DR-031 is mandatory when requesting alimony or a monetary award for property distribution. File the Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Marital and Non-Marital Property (CC-DR-033) to classify assets and debts for equitable distribution under Family Law § 8-205. If minor children are involved, complete the Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109) or file a Joint Statement (CC-DR-110).

Maryland no longer requires corroborating witness testimony for divorce under the 2023 reforms to Family Law § 7-103. However, you must still prove your eligibility and grounds at the merits hearing. For mutual consent divorces where both parties agree and have a signed settlement agreement, the court may grant the divorce without a hearing if certain conditions are met. E-filing through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system is available but not mandatory for self-represented litigants. File all documents with two copies, and mail or hand-deliver copies to the opposing party with a Certificate of Service (CC-DR-058) for any post-complaint filings.

Maryland circuit courts may require divorcing parents to attend a child support and custody educational seminar under Family Law § 7-103.2. The statute gives judges discretionary authority to order parties to participate in an educational program designed to educate parents about the effects of divorce on children and to minimize disruption to children's lives. The seminar is typically a 4-to-6-hour course covering co-parenting communication, child development, and the impact of parental conflict. Courts must establish criteria for exemptions, except that exemption is prohibited when there is any evidence of domestic violence or child abuse or neglect. The parties are not required to attend the seminar together. Any information obtained during the seminar is inadmissible in the divorce proceeding unless both parties stipulate otherwise. The requirement varies by county — Anne Arundel County and several other jurisdictions mandate attendance in all contested custody cases, while others leave it to judicial discretion under Maryland Rule 9-204.1. Verify your county's specific requirements with the local Circuit Court clerk's office.

Maryland requires mediation for contested child custody and visitation disputes under Maryland Rule 9-205. In any action where custody or visitation of a minor child is at issue — including initial determinations, modifications, and contempt proceedings — the court will refer the parties to mediation unless there are allegations of physical or sexual abuse of a party or child. The mediator must have completed at least 20 hours of family mediation training covering Maryland law on separation, divorce, custody, visitation, and support, as well as emotional aspects of divorce and child development theory. If a party fails to attend a mediation session, the court will issue a show cause order and may impose monetary sanctions or dismiss the action. Mediation is not required for the divorce itself — only for custody and visitation disputes. Mediation is confidential, and communications during mediation are generally inadmissible. Additional information and mediator referrals are available through the Maryland Courts mediation and ADR program.

Maryland requires financial disclosure from both parties in divorce cases under Maryland Rule 9-203(a). When combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less, each party must complete form CC-DR-030 (Financial Statement — Child Support Guidelines). When combined gross monthly income exceeds $30,000, the detailed form CC-DR-031 (Financial Statement — General) is required. The long-form CC-DR-031 is mandatory whenever a party requests alimony or a monetary award for property distribution under Family Law § 8-205. The financial statement requires disclosure of all income sources (salary, benefits, investments), monthly expenses (housing, utilities, transportation, medical), and a complete list of assets and liabilities. Both parties must also file form CC-DR-033 (Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Marital and Non-Marital Property) classifying all real property, personal property, retirement accounts, and debts as marital or non-marital. All financial statements are signed under penalty of perjury. If not filed with a pleading, the financial statement must be mailed or hand-delivered to the other party with a Certificate of Service (CC-DR-058).