How to Save Time and Money During a Divorce in Maryland

    A divorce process is likely to be emotionally exhausting. Moreover, getting a divorce can be an expensive affair. The cost of divorce could reach tens of thousands of dollars. Maryland’s regulations and requirements are an essential factor defining the pricing associated with marriage dissolution.

    How much will it cost to get divorced in Maryland?

    Filing for divorce in Maryland starts with filing fees of around $200. But this amount can vary depending on the county used.

    Beyond that, divorce costs are difficult to generalize as they vary significantly from one case to the other. Therefore, it is hard to estimate the expenses for an individual case without knowing the details.

    However, an average divorce in the US will cost you around $15,500 per person, including filing fees, attorney fees, and additional spendings. Divorce in Maryland is slightly less expensive than the national average at about $14,000.

    But there is a lot that you can do to ensure that dissolution in Maryland stays inexpensive. Let us take a look at a few of the top ways.

    Having an in-depth understanding of the legal process involved

    In case your partner and you are contemplating getting a divorce in Maryland, it is preferable to be sure of the legal implications and factors that will influence your endeavor. Maryland has some local laws for the dissolution of marriage, which you should understand well. Merely knowing the rules can make divorce more affordable by saving money on several counts.

    For instance, one can avoid paying additional legal fees by submitting the requisite legal documents at the appropriate location the first time. Similarly, one should consider the jurisdiction where their case is managed and go through the corresponding webpage.

    The courthouse website for Maryland provides forms and checklists, readily available for use by anyone, free of cost. So, one should have a printout of the same, readily available, and then consult with a lawyer.

    Maryland laws that pertain to marital and divorce procedures tend to have an additional bit of complexity associated with them. It is hence preferable to interact with someone who has been through the processes. You could get in touch with your family or friends who already divorced. If they have undergone the process in Maryland, their counsel will be of additional help. It will deliver a greater understanding of the procedures involved.

    When you initiate an interaction of this nature, you could ask your loved ones some questions, and they could offer some tips or advice based upon how the divorce worked for them. A third-party perspective is likely to be insightful.

    Knowing the process even before initiating the case can have a positive effect on your divorce. This way, you will have a list of questions ready with you to ask your attorney, saving you money on hourly legal fees.

    When one is better prepared for their divorce, it can simplify and speed up the processes involved. It also makes things less stressful.

    Be Mindful

    Taking some tips from other people who have undergone a divorce is okay. But if they have had some sort of an experience that they would rather have avoided, it does not imply that you’d have the same experience as well. This is because all divorces are different and unique.

    Hence, the counsel of an experienced divorce attorney is also going to be priceless. An attorney will be in the best position to explain what you can expect from your divorce proceeding, how it will be, and what steps you should take.

    Consider Mediation

    When you dispute your divorce in a Maryland court, each spouse will be hiring an attorney. The divorcing couple will hence be hiring two attorneys and paying their fees. Both attorneys will negotiate the divorce for their respective clients.

    But when we consider the case of a mediated divorce in Maryland, the services of a single mediator will suffice. He’d be a neutral negotiator for both spouses and will attempt to ensure that the divorcing couple separates agreeably and realistically.

    Divorce is a complicated process, and parties are invariably on the lookout for what works the best for them. In case you feel that mediation is not feasible in your case, a few other inexpensive options are also available:

    • A collaborative divorce

    In the case of a collaborative divorce, both parties will hire separate lawyers. Ultimately, they will decide to work cooperatively. This will help them figure out the terms that are less expensive and impartial.

    • An uncontested divorce

    In the event of an uncontested divorce, the divorcing couple agrees with all terms and conditions associated with the dissolution. The role of the attorney is limited to filing the divorce papers in this case.

    A professional for appraising your belongings

    Another top way to prepare for a divorce is to have a professional appraise each of your assets. Items that should be appraised include real estate, properties, bank accounts, and other valuable items.

    An attorney will want you to go ahead with the appraisal for your belongings. Hence before you contact your attorney, it is preferable to appraise your belongings.

    It will allow you to stay ahead of the game. You’ll save money, and the process will induce peace of mind.

    Changing attorneys is expensive and best avoided

    Some people feel the need to change their attorneys during divorce processes. They may decide the attorney they hired is not the best match for their requirements while the process is ongoing.

    But this is not recommendable as it may turn out to be an expensive affair. Similarly, this adds to the hassle, and changing your attorney during the divorce is time-consuming. Hence, it is best to stick to the initial divorce attorney that you hired.

    Internet divorce in Maryland 

    When one seeks to get an inexpensive divorce in Maryland, online divorce becomes a good solution because it is fast, affordable, and accessible. Divorce over the internet is ideal for couples who have an uncontested case.

    Taking the aid of divorce companies will deliver a step-by-step process for preparing the divorce paperwork. They help you quickly and easily prepare the necessary forms. Such companies also send instructions to clients on how to apply for divorce on their own.

    Divorce companies speed up the processes for application for divorce online.

    When a divorcing couple goes for complete divorce online or DIY divorce, it will be less expensive and quicker because there is no need to spend excess money on lawyers. One can fill out the divorce forms without an attorney from the comfort of their home. A reliable divorce company keeps its clients’ information 100% secure. Nothing is filed until you submit the divorce papers to the courthouse yourself.

    Filing for divorce

    Divorce over the Internet helps you to prepare your application for divorce online. Then you need to submit papers to the court. You could do it yourself or with your spouse’s assistance.

    In Maryland, you can file the divorce forms at a courthouse located in the county where you reside. In case the petitioner is not a resident, but the respondent is, then the divorce is typically filed in the county where the respondent lives.

    Residency

    All states have specific requirements for divorcing couples regarding establishing residency within the state. Maryland is no exception.

    If the grounds for divorce occurred within Maryland, there is no need to establish residency requirements. But if they took place outside the state, then the divorcing couple needs to meet the residency requirements. At least one of the divorcing spouses should have resided in the state for at least six months before they can file for a divorce.

    The easiest way to establish residency is if both or either spouse have a valid voter’s registration card, ID card, or driver’s license. Alternately, an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness form will act as proof that you have resided in the state for at least six months.

    Conclusion:

    Getting a divorce in Maryland can be stressful and expensive at the same time. Going to a trial makes the processes more expensive, in particular, if property division and alimony are involved. If parties want to keep the divorce inexpensive, use one of the low-cost methods mentioned above if available.