Maryland Mutual Consent Divorce Services

Before 2015, the only way to get a divorce in Maryland was to live separate and apart for twelve months, or to demonstrate serious illness or fault by one partner. There was no good option for the many Maryland couples who wanted to end their marriages simply and without a long, drawn-out process.

In 2015, Maryland introduced the concept of mutual consent divorce for couples without minor children, and in 2018, expanded its availability to couples who have minor children in common. Now, Maryland couples who agree on the need to divorce can do so in a more agreeable and less time-consuming way.

In addition to being quicker and often less expensive than a litigated divorce, mutual consent divorce allows you and your spouse the flexibility to create a settlement agreement that meets your unique needs. Crafting your own settlement agreement means you are more likely to be satisfied with its terms, and abide by them.

Mutual consent divorce relies on both an agreement between the divorcing spouses and successful completion of court requirements. Many couples need just a little help with the details. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our collaborative attorneys and mediators can give you the customized assistance you need so your mutual consent divorce can proceed smoothly.

How an Attorney Can Help With Your Maryland Mutual Consent Divorce

Even in the most amicable divorce, conflicts can arise. It is common to find sticking points in the process, but that doesn’t mean you litigate your divorce. Rather than letting these obstacles derail your progress, you can use an attorney’s services to help bridge the gap.

For instance, you and your spouse might agree broadly that you want to divide your property equally and share custody of your minor child, with each parent having equal parenting time. As you try to capture the terms of your marital settlement agreement on paper, you may realize that you disagree on which specific property each of you will take, or on the value of certain property. You might even be unsure whether a certain asset is marital property to be divided, or the separate property of one spouse.

Similarly, you may get hung up on custody and parenting time issues. You may agree your child will spend equal time with each of you, but disagree on the specifics of how and when that happens. You might agree to have equal say in major decisions regarding your child, but be unclear on what to do if you disagree about one of those decisions.

An experienced Maryland divorce attorney can give you legal advice and make recommendations based on experience that will help you create a marital settlement agreement that is specific enough to manage future expectations, and flexible enough to work in real life. In addition, an attorney can help ensure that you have correctly completed all the technical requirements for your mutual consent divorce, to avoid unnecessary delay and expense.

At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, we can help you with both the form and substance of your mutual consent divorce, including:

• Clarifying issues that need to be resolved with your spouse;
• Identifying mutually agreeable options to resolve disputed issues;
• Assisting you with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options, such as mediation or Collaborative Divorce, to help you reach agreement;
• Negotiating the specific terms of your settlement agreement with your spouse or your spouse’s attorney;
• Reviewing your marital settlement agreement to ensure it is complete and that you understand all your rights and responsibilities;
• Applying child support guidelines and completing the required worksheet;
• Drafting the settlement agreement to comply with court requirements;
• Ensuring technical requirements for the divorce are completed by the time of your hearing.

Just because you don’t need a lengthy in-court divorce doesn’t mean that you have to go through your divorce process alone. We are here to provide you with the support you need, without requiring you to pay for services you don’t.

Experienced Maryland Mutual Consent Divorce Attorneys

At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, we have been helping clients with mutual consent divorce since it first became an option in Maryland. We will help you identify your needs for the mutual consent divorce process and help you develop a strategy to resolve any disputes that may prevent you from agreeing upon terms to be incorporated into your settlement.

Our attorneys are experienced in mediation and Collaborative processes to help you resolve any issues in the way that is best for you. Some of us have experienced divorce ourselves as parents or children. We understand what you are going through, and are committed to making your divorce process as simple, successful, and stress-free as possible.

Our office serves clients throughout Maryland, including Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Major cities we serve include Columbia, Bethesda, Baltimore and Silver Spring.

Contact our law office today to learn how we can help with your mutual consent divorce needs, and to schedule mediation or a confidential consultation with one our collaborative attorneys.