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Towson Divorce Lawyer | Grounds For Divorce | Maryland Residency Requirement.

Baltimore County Divorce Lawyer Who Knows Maryland Family Law

Recognized as a Top Divorce Attorney

For 17 years, Amar S. Weisman has managed more than 1,750 divorce, child custody, child support and domestic violence matters as a Baltimore County Family Lawyer. By focusing on domestic litigation and developing local roots, Mr. Weisman has developed expertise in how divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence matters are adjudicated in the County Courts Building. 

Residency is Necessary to Divorce in Baltimore County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County

The adequately drafted divorce pleading will clearly state the residence of the filing party, the responding party, or both. Courts consider multiple factors to determine residency, including: 

  • Where the person votes, if you have a history of voting in Baltimore County, it suggests you are a Baltimore County resident. 
  • Where the person lives, if you have lived in Towson all your life, you are probably a Maryland resident.
  • Where the person pays taxes, if you pay personal income taxes in Maryland and Delaware, for example, then it might be debatable.
  • Where the person obtained their driver's license.
  • Where the person receives mail.

If proof of residency becomes an issue, it may be necessary for your divorce lawyer to call witnesses to testify concerning your intention to stay in Maryland. 

Maryland's Residency Requirements 

When it comes to residency, this is the bottom line: 

  • If the grounds for divorce took place in a state other than Maryland, there is a one-year residency requirement. So, for example, suppose the grounds for divorce are adultery, and the adultery took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. To get a divorce in Maryland for cheating, you need to live in Maryland for one year before filing for divorce. 
  • If the grounds for divorce took place in Maryland, you could sue for divorce in any Maryland County where one of the spouses resides. 
  • There is a two-year residency requirement if the grounds for divorce are insanity. It is uncommon for a divorce based on insanity to be granted in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. 

Proving That You Are a Resident of Maryland 

The adequately drafted divorce pleading will clearly state the residence of the filing party, the responding party, or both. Courts consider multiple factors to determine residency, including: 

  • Where the person votes, if you have a history of voting in Baltimore County, it suggests you are a Baltimore County resident. 
  • Where the person lives, if you have lived in Towson all your life, you are probably a Maryland resident.
  • If you pay personal income taxes in Maryland and Delaware, it could be up for debate.
  • Where the person obtained their driver's license.
  • Where the person receives mail.

If proof of residency becomes an issue, it may be necessary for your divorce lawyer to call witnesses to testify concerning your intention to stay in Maryland. 

Moving After Filing for Divorce In Baltimore County 

When the divorce is filed, either the residency requirement is met or not. You can move to a different county or state, usually not undermining the residency requirement. However, before going anywhere, the litigant should stop and consider the necessity of fully participating in the Maryland divorce process, including the Scheduling Conference, the Settlement Conference, the Trial on the Merits, and the discovery process, including on-site depositions. 

Members of the Armed Services

Concerning individuals in the military, if they were Maryland residents before entering the Service, they will be allowed to file for divorce in Maryland, even if they have not lived in the state since joining the military.

Call The Best Towson Divorce Lawyer

Please Call (410) 321-4994 to schedule a Free Consultation. The purpose of the consultation is to decide whether you want to hire Amar S. Weisman. You must pay a retainer to obtain legal services (see Policy on Fees/Costs). The law firm is next to The Circuit Court for Baltimore County at 1018 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204. 

SERVING CLIENTS FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY

We have family law clients from throughout the Baltimore-Metropolitan Area, including  Aberdeen, Abingdon, Baldwin, Bel Air, Bowleys Quarters, Brooklandville, Carney, Cedar Beach, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Edgewood, Essex, Garrison, Germantown, Glen Arm, Glenmont, Greenspring Valley, Hampton, Hillendale, Homeland, Honeygo, Hunt Valley, Hydes, Joppa Road Corridor, Kingsville, Lake Roland/Towson Run, Long Green, Lutherville, Middleborough, Middle River, Nottingham, Owings Mills, Parkville, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Riderwood, Reisterstown, Riderwood, Rodgers Forge, Rosedale, Ruxton, Shawn, Sparks, Sparrows Point, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Towson, West Towson, White Hall, White Marsh, and York Road corridor.