In Montgomery County, Maryland offers mutual consent divorce with NO separation period under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103(a)(8); Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 documented case results in Montgomery County. A Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County can guide you through this process.
Under Maryland law, divorce is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103. The statute provides several grounds for divorce, including mutual consent (no separation required if both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement), 6-month separation, adultery, and cruelty. Maryland is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The Circuit Court for Montgomery County, located at 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850, handles all divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, and property division matters. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, has extensive experience handling family law cases in Montgomery County. A dissolution of marriage lawyer Montgomery County can help you understand how these laws apply to your specific situation.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for Montgomery County | Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (official Maryland General Assembly)
For the full text of Maryland’s divorce laws, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (official Maryland General Assembly). For court procedures and forms, visit the District Court of MD for Montgomery County website.
Montgomery County Circuit Court handles all divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, and property division matters. Maryland uniquely offers mutual consent divorce with no separation period required — both parties must agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement resolving all issues including custody and property. A mandatory parenting seminar is required for all cases involving minor children. Mediation is available and frequently ordered for custody disputes.
- File a Complaint for Absolute Divorce at the Montgomery County Circuit Court (191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850). Filing fee: $165.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100).
- If you have minor children, complete the mandatory parenting seminar (approximately $50-$100).
- Attend mediation if ordered by the court for custody or property disputes.
- Attend the final hearing and obtain the Judgment of Absolute Divorce.
In Montgomery County, divorce is a civil matter with no criminal penalties. The costs and timeline vary based on the type of divorce and level of agreement between parties.
| Type of Divorce | Requirements | Timeline | Filing Fee | Additional Costs | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Consent Divorce | Both parties agree; no minor children or written agreement on all issues | 2-3 months | $165 | Service of process: $40-$100; certified copies: $20 each | No separation period required; fastest option |
| Absolute Divorce (6-month separation) | 6-month separation without cohabitation | 3-4 months from filing | $165 | Service of process: $40-$100; certified copies: $20 each | Requires 6-month separation period |
| Contested Divorce | Disagreement on one or more issues | 6-18 months | $165 | Mediation: $100-$350/hour; custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+ | Longest and most expensive option |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.” Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep family law experience. For Montgomery County family law matters, our team brings decades of courtroom experience and a track record of results.
In Montgomery County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 95% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, we have 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at Montgomery County courts, accessible via I-270, I-495, Route 355 (Rockville Pike), Route 29, and Route 97 (Georgia Ave).
Divorce lawyer near Montgomery County — serving Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747
199 E Montgomery Ave Suite 100 Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
By appointment only.
Does Maryland require separation before divorce?
Not always. Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with NO separation period — both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement. For absolute divorce without consent, 6-month separation is required. Filed at Montgomery County Circuit Court.
How much does a divorce cost in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Circuit Court divorce filing fee: $165; service of process by sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100); certified copies: $20 each; parenting seminar fee: approximately $50-$100; mediation: $100-$350/hour; custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+. Maryland’s mutual consent option is one of the fastest and most affordable paths to divorce in the region.
How is child support calculated in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Maryland child support uses guidelines based on combined adjusted income of both parents (Family Law Art. § 12-202). The formula considers number of children, health insurance, childcare, and parenting time. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Montgomery County.
How does custody work in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Maryland uses the best interests standard with factors including fitness, character, stability, and child’s preference. There is no presumption for either parent. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Montgomery County. Mediation often ordered for custody disputes.
What is the difference between mutual consent divorce and absolute divorce in Maryland?
Mutual consent divorce requires both parties to agree on all issues and has no separation period. Absolute divorce after 6-month separation does not require both parties to agree. Mutual consent is faster (2-3 months) while absolute divorce takes 3-4 months from filing after the separation period.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.