Desertion in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is a fault-based ground for absolute divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, requiring proof that your spouse voluntarily abandoned you without consent for at least 12 months. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Desertion Divorce Lawyer Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Under Maryland law, desertion is a fault ground for absolute divorce. Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103(a)(2) provides that a divorce may be granted when your spouse has voluntarily deserted you without cause or consent for at least 12 months before the filing of the complaint. Desertion means the spouse left the marital home with the intent to permanently end the marriage, and you did not agree to the separation. The 12-month period must be continuous and uninterrupted. Unlike mutual consent divorce, which requires no separation period if both parties agree, desertion divorce requires you to prove the fault ground in court. The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Family Division) at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, hears all divorce cases in the county. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
For the full text of the desertion divorce statute, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For information on filing fees and procedures at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, visit District Court of MD for Anne Arundel County (Maryland Courts — official site).
In the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, prosecutors routinely require strict proof of the 12-month desertion period. We have observed that judges closely examine whether the separation was truly without consent and whether any attempts at reconciliation interrupted the continuous period.
- Gather evidence of the date your spouse left the marital home, including text messages, emails, or witness statements.
- Document any attempts at reconciliation, as these may reset the 12-month clock.
- File a Complaint for Absolute Divorce at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, citing desertion under § 7-103(a)(2).
- Serve your spouse with the complaint and await their response within 30 days.
- Attend any pendente lite hearings for temporary support or custody.
- Proceed to trial or settlement conference to finalize the divorce decree.
In Anne Arundel County, desertion divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 carries no criminal penalties but affects property division, alimony, and custody outcomes.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desertion (Fault Ground) | Civil — Fault-Based Divorce | None | None | None | May affect alimony award; may impact equitable distribution of marital property |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — has handled extensive criminal defense experience in Anne Arundel County, providing clients with knowledgeable representation in desertion divorce matters.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Anne Arundel 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 is approximately 35 miles from the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, with access via I-97 and I-695. Serving as a desertion divorce lawyer near Anne Arundel County, we provide representation for clients throughout the area. Serving the communities of Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Crofton, Odenton, Pasadena, Arnold, Gambrills, and Millersville. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only. Our location is at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850.
Frequently Asked Questions About Desertion Divorce in Anne Arundel 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 Anne Arundel 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.
Not always. Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with no separation period. For desertion divorce, 12-month separation is required.
How much does a divorce cost in Anne Arundel County, Maryland?
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for Anne Arundel 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.
Uncontested divorce costs include a $165 filing fee plus attorney fees. Contested divorce costs vary based on complexity.
How is child support calculated in Anne Arundel 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 Anne Arundel County (251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes.
Child support is calculated using Maryland guidelines based on combined parental income and number of children.
How does custody work in Anne Arundel 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 Anne Arundel County (251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401). 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.
Maryland uses the experienced interests standard with no presumption for either parent. Mediation is often ordered.
For more information about family law in Maryland, visit our Divorce Lawyer Salisbury hub page. You may also find these related pages useful: Divorce Lawyer Howard County, Divorce Lawyer Calvert County, and Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County.
Last updated: 2026-04-29. This page is regularly reviewed for accuracy.