Towson, MD Divorce Attorney
Sometimes, people get divorced. Divorce can be a somewhat amicable proceeding where both parties know it is the best move, or it can be extremely bitter and hard-fought. This is especially true if things like finances or decisions about your children hang in the balance.
If you are facing any issues surrounding divorce, you can get legal help. Having strong legal representation is important to divorce proceedings because it ensures that your voice is heard and you can properly advocate for your position.
Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at the number (410) 694-7291 to receive a free review of your case from our divorce legal team.
Reasons Divorce Happens in Towson, MD
Divorce can happen for many different reasons, but ultimately, it boils down to an ex-couple not being able to continue as a married pair. Because the reasons for divorce are varied, our divorce attorneys will examine your situation closely and tailor our services to best fit your needs. Some common reasons for divorce in Towson include:
Raising Children
If parents have differing views on what is right for their children, that can easily lead to divorce. For example, if one parent would like to raise their child under a certain religion while the other prefers a different one, that could easily lead to divorce if both parents believe strongly enough in their decision. A parent may also seek divorce if they believe the other parent would be dangerous to their child or that the child should not be around the other parent. In those cases, deciding who has custody over any children would be a part of divorce proceedings. Child custody proceedings can be complicated and can become impassion very quickly, so you should raise any concerns about custody in your divorce proceeding with our lawyers.
Disagreements About Finances
People also get divorced if they have fundamental disagreements on how to handle finances. For example, one party may want to spend a lot of income quickly while the other prefers to be more frugal and save money.
When finances are an issue in divorce proceedings, outside financial experts are often brought in to assess the situation. This is especially true in “high-asset” divorce, where one or both parties have considerable assets that they want to protect.
Lifestyle Disagreements
People get divorced because they do not agree with the other’s lifestyle. For example, if one party starts drinking heavily and the other party is strongly opposed to this, that could lead to divorce.
Dangerous Situations
If one ex-spouse believes that the other is dangerous and may hurt them or their children, that person may feel it is a good idea to file for divorce. Note, though, that if domestic incidents have already happened, there may also be criminal proceedings intertwined with your divorce. Other things, including financial division and child custody, can also be strongly affected by domestic issues, especially if one party is facing domestic violence charges.
What Are the Requirements for Divorce in Towson, MD?
In Maryland, there are certain criteria that need to be met in order for parties to get divorced in the state. First, at least one of the parties must reside in the state. If the cause of the divorce occurred in Maryland, then one party only needs to be living there at the time they file their divorce. However, if the cause of divorce happened outside the state, the party filing the claim needs to have lived in the state for at least six months prior to filing the divorce.
Additionally, people need “grounds” to get divorced that are enumerated under Md. Code, Fam. Law Art., § 7-103(a). These grounds are six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent.
Being separated for six months does not always mean that people need to be living in different locations. It simply means that they are not living as if they are a married couple. However, the separation must be in six consecutive months. It will not be considered a sufficient reason for divorce if two people have been separated for a total of six months on and off.
Unreconcilable differences are deeply held opinions about how a marriage should proceed that cannot be agreed on. For example, suppose two people have children who one parent wants to be homeschooled while the other does not. If the parents cannot agree on schooling, that would be an irreconcilable difference.
Finally, parties can get divorced if they both consent to it, provided that property is distributed in accordance with Maryland law and the needs of any children are taken care of.
Outside factors that can affect divorce in Towson, MD
There may be some considerations that are not necessarily a direct part of divorce proceedings, but they can have a significant impact on who those proceedings go and what issues need to be resolved. Some of these things are directly tied to divorce proceedings, while others augment them and may simply be resolved at the same time.
Prenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements, or “prenups,” are documents created before marriage that spell out certain things that will happen in a hypothetical future divorce. Prenups are excellent for ensuring that divorces are done fairly, but they may not always account for future events or changes. If your divorce proceedings involve a prenuptial agreement that you want to enforce or go against, we can help you with that situation.
Alimony
Alimony payments are court-ordered payments one ex-spouse pays to the other. They are often ordered during divorce proceedings when one party has significantly more financial means than the other and the less well-off person needs financial assistance. If you are either seeking alimony payments or want to contest them, we can assist you.
Contact Our Towson, MD Divorce Lawyers Today
Rice, Murtha & Psoras have divorce lawyers who can help you with your claim when you call us at (410) 694-7291.