In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a fault based divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 may be granted on grounds including adultery, cruelty, desertion, or excessive vicious conduct. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive experience handling fault based divorce cases in Anne Arundel County, with 4,739+ firm-wide documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Maryland law provides for fault based divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103. Grounds include adultery, cruelty of treatment, excessively vicious conduct, desertion for 12 months, and voluntary separation for 12 months without cohabitation. A fault based divorce does not require a separation period if the fault ground is proven. The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Family Division) at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401 handles all divorce filings. 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+.
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Advocacy Without Borders, brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (Maryland General Assembly — official site)
In the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, prosecutors and family law practitioners routinely handle fault based divorce cases with specific local procedures. We have observed that proving fault grounds requires clear and convincing evidence, and the court scrutinizes allegations of adultery or cruelty carefully.
- Consult with a Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Anne Arundel County to evaluate your specific grounds.
- File a complaint for absolute divorce at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff or private process server.
- Attend pendente lite hearings for temporary support and custody within 30-60 days.
- Participate in mediation if ordered by the court for custody or property disputes.
- Obtain a final decree of divorce after the court resolves all issues.
In Anne Arundel County, fault based divorce carries legal consequences including equitable distribution of marital property, alimony determinations, and custody arrangements under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103.
| Ground | Classification | Separation Required | Evidence Standard | Impact on Property | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Fault Ground | None | Clear and convincing | May affect equitable distribution | Potential alimony bar if proven |
| Cruelty of Treatment | Fault Ground | None | Clear and convincing | May affect equitable distribution | Potential protective order |
| Desertion | Fault Ground | 12 months | Clear and convincing | May affect equitable distribution | Potential alimony implications |
| Voluntary Separation | No-Fault Ground | 12 months | Preponderance | Standard equitable distribution | Standard alimony analysis |
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%. The firm has extensive experience handling fault based divorce cases in Anne Arundel County, including matters involving adultery, cruelty, desertion, and excessive vicious conduct. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive experience handling family law cases in Maryland, including fault based divorce matters. 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 35 miles from the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, with access via I-97, I-695, Route 2, Route 3, Route 50, and Route 301.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer near Anne Arundel County.
Serving the communities of Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Crofton, Odenton, Pasadena, Arnold, Gambrills, Millersville.
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 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 if both parties agree and have a written agreement.
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.
Costs vary widely. Uncontested divorce involves filing fees plus attorney fees; contested divorce can be substantially more expensive.
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.
Maryland child support uses guidelines based on combined adjusted income of both parents under Family Law Art. § 12-202.
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 custody disputes.
What are the fault grounds for divorce in Anne Arundel County, Maryland?
Maryland recognizes several fault grounds for divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, including adultery, cruelty of treatment, excessively vicious conduct, desertion for 12 months, and voluntary separation for 12 months. A fault grounds for divorce lawyer Anne Arundel County can help you determine which ground applies to your situation. An at-fault divorce lawyer Anne Arundel County can advise on the evidence required to prove fault grounds.
Maryland recognizes fault grounds including adultery, cruelty, desertion, and excessively vicious conduct under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103.
Learn more about our services: Divorce Lawyer Maryland.
Explore related pages: Divorce Lawyer Howard County, Divorce Lawyer Calvert County, Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County.
Last updated: 2026-04-29