In Somerset County, Maryland, a fault based divorce can be filed under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 on grounds including adultery, cruelty, desertion, or voluntary separation for 6 months. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Maryland and provides representation for fault based divorce cases in Somerset County.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer in Somerset County, Maryland
Under Maryland law, a fault based divorce is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103. This statute provides specific grounds for divorce, including adultery, cruelty of treatment, excessively vicious conduct, desertion for 12 months, and voluntary separation for 6 months. Unlike no-fault divorce, a fault based divorce requires proving the specific misconduct of the other spouse. The Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division) at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853 has jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
For the full text of Maryland’s divorce laws, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For child support guidelines, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202 (Maryland General Assembly — official site).
In the Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division), judges routinely require strict adherence to procedural timelines for fault based divorce filings. We have observed that proving fault grounds such as adultery or cruelty demands clear and convincing evidence, which can be challenging without proper documentation.
- Gather all evidence of fault grounds, including emails, text messages, financial records, and witness statements.
- File a Complaint for Absolute Divorce at the Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division) at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
- Serve the divorce papers on your spouse via sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100).
- Attend pendente lite hearings for temporary support and custody, typically within 30-60 days of motion.
- Prepare for trial or settlement conference to prove fault grounds and obtain a final decree.
In Somerset County, Maryland, fault based divorce carries no criminal penalties but affects property division, alimony, and custody outcomes under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Fault Ground | N/A | N/A | N/A | May affect alimony and property division |
| Cruelty of Treatment | Fault Ground | N/A | N/A | N/A | May affect custody and support |
| Desertion (12 months) | Fault Ground | N/A | N/A | N/A | May affect property division |
Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Somerset County: firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ with a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville, MD is approximately 120 miles from the Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division) at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853, with access via Route 13 and Route 413. We serve as a fault based divorce lawyer near Somerset County and the communities of Princess Anne, Crisfield, Westover, Marion Station, and Deal Island. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
(888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fault Based Divorce in Somerset County
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 Somerset County Circuit Court. 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+. SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division))
How much does a divorce cost in Somerset County, Maryland?
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division) plus attorney fees — typically a flat fee or limited hourly.
Contested divorce scales with complexity: custody evaluations, property appraisals, pension analysis, and trial preparation all affect fees. High-asset cases involving business valuation, stock options, or international assets require substantial retainers. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. discusses fee structure at initial consultation — (888) 437-7747, by appointment only. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division))
How is child support calculated in Somerset 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 Somerset County (30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202; District Court of MD for Somerset County)
How does custody work in Somerset County, Maryland?
Maryland uses the experienced 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 Somerset County (30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853). Mediation often ordered for custody disputes. Mandatory parenting seminar for cases involving children. SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101; District Court of MD for Somerset County)
What should I do if I am facing fault based divorce charges in Maryland?
If facing fault based divorce charges in Maryland, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer.
Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Maryland law require prompt action. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Somerset County (Family Division))
For more information about family law in Maryland, visit our Divorce Lawyer Salisbury hub page. You may also be interested in our Divorce Lawyer Howard County and Divorce Lawyer Calvert County pages.
Last verified: April 2026. This page was last updated on 2026-04-28.