Maryland has two kinds of divorce: limited and absolute. Only an absolute divorce dissolves the marriage. A limited divorce can be thought of more as a legally sanctioned separation. The most common grounds for absolute divorce in Maryland are: one-year separation; mutual consent divorce; adultery; constructive desertion; and cruelty of treatment and excessively vicious conduct.
Mutual-Consent Divorce
An absolute divorce by mutual consent is available to parties who have a written agreement and no minor children. No waiting period or separation period is necessary for filing but both parties need to be present at the divorce hearing.
