Fault based divorce in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, which allows divorce on grounds such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, or excessive vicious conduct. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in St. Mary’s County. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer St Marys County, Maryland
Under Maryland law, a fault based divorce is an absolute divorce granted on grounds that one spouse is responsible for the marriage breakdown. Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 lists specific fault grounds: adultery, cruelty of treatment, excessively vicious conduct, desertion (for 12 months without justification), and voluntary separation (for 12 months). Unlike no-fault divorce, fault based divorce does not require a separation period. The spouse seeking the divorce must prove the fault ground by a preponderance of the evidence in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division).
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., ‘Advocacy Without Borders,’ brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
For authoritative legal references, consult the following official government sources:
In the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, prosecutors routinely scrutinize fault-based divorce claims for evidentiary sufficiency. We have observed that judges require clear and convincing proof for adultery allegations.
- Gather all evidence of the fault ground, such as communications or witness statements.
- File a complaint for absolute divorce at the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County.
- Serve the respondent via sheriff or private process server.
- Attend mandatory mediation if ordered by the court.
- Present your case at the fault hearing.
- Await the court’s decision on divorce and ancillary matters.
In St. Mary’s County, fault based divorce carries no criminal penalties but affects property division, alimony, and custody outcomes.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Civil (Family Law) | None | None | None | May affect alimony award; court may consider fault in equitable distribution |
| Cruelty of Treatment | Civil (Family Law) | None | None | None | May affect custody and visitation; protective order possible |
| Desertion (12 months) | Civil (Family Law) | None | None | None | May affect property division; spouse may be liable for support |
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%. ‘Advocacy Without Borders’ reflects our commitment to client-centered representation.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in St. Mary’s County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, with over 93% favorable outcomes. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 60 miles from the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, with access via Route 5 and Route 235. As a fault based divorce lawyer near St. Mary’s County, we serve the communities of Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville (MD). 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
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | By appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions About Fault Based Divorce in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s 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
No. Maryland does not require separation for fault based divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103.
How much does a divorce cost in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for St. Mary’s 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.
It depends. Uncontested divorce costs start at the $165 filing fee plus attorney fees; contested divorce can range from $5,000 to $50,000+.
How is child support calculated in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes
It depends. Child support is calculated using the Maryland guidelines income shares worksheet under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202.
How does custody work in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). 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
It depends. Custody is determined by the experienced interests of the child under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101, with no presumption for either parent.
Related pages: Maryland Family Law Hub | Montgomery County | Prince George’s County | Criminal Defense St. Mary’s County | DUI/DWI St. Mary’s County
Last verified: April 2026