Maryland Legislature Considers Changes to Divorce Law

On January 24, 2011, a bill was introduced in the Maryland legislature to change the time requirements necessary to obtain an absolute divorce in the state on the grounds of voluntary separation and statutory (two-year) separation. Under the proposed bill, to obtain a divorce on the basis of voluntary separation, the parties would only need to be living separate and apart without cohabitation for a period of six months. Under current law, the parties must be living separate and apart for 12 months. Similarly, the proposed law would reduce the time period for obtaining a divorce on the basis of separation (when the parties do not agree that the separation is mutual and voluntary) from two years to one year.

I support the proposed bill as I believe it is more in line with the modern practicalities and economic realities of divorce and separation in the state, although I am mindful of the legislature's desire to promote marriage.

To express your position on the bill, contact your Maryland state legislator.