How quickly can I get divorced?
When you have decided it is time to end your marriage, it can be hard to decide the next step. Many people want a quick resolution to reduce the stress and expense that divorce can place on their family. If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on at least some of the issues, this can greatly reduce the time you spend waiting on the court to enter a Judgment of Absolute Divorce.
Typically, most divorcing couples meet the 12-month separation period requirement by the time their final divorce hearing is before the Court. However, not everyone wishes to or is able to spend at least 12 months in the court process. Maryland law allows divorce on the grounds of Mutual Consent. This means, if you and your spouse reach a fully-executed written agreement on all the issues (including custody and child support), you do not have to satisfy the 12-month separation period and can request an uncontested divorce hearing. Uncontested divorces are scheduled quickly, usually last 10-15 minutes, and are currently conducted virtually.
It may be hard to imagine reaching an agreement with your spouse! Yet there are options available to you for involving legal counsel, mental health professionals, and financial advisors to support you along the way. With the guidance of an attorney, it is possible to reach an agreement you can live with, giving you the opportunity to obtain your divorce without being tied to the long court process.