Grounds for Divorce in Maryland

Once you confirm Maryland has jurisdiction over your divorce action you next move to the issue of whether you have grounds to seek a divorce in Maryland. There are multiple grounds for divorce in Maryland. I am writing today only about those that are based on one year and a day separation. Each of these grounds require that you are separate and apart from your spouse for one year and one day before you can file the complaint for absolute divorce. There are two exceptions to this rule. One if your spouse is committing adultery and two if your spouse is treating you with excessively vicious conduct. The grounds that are available to you under the one year rule are desertion, constructive desertion and mutual and voluntary agreement to separate. Each requires this one year and one day separation for the entire year and a day, uninterrupted and continuously, without any hope of getting back together. Once you spearate you are legally separated. There is nothing to file with the court to make you more legally separated. Once you separate you have separated for purposes of the one year and a day requirements. If you have questions please feel free to call 1-888-760-7339.