Category: divorce

Pendente lite is a legal term that is Latin for “pending during litigation.” Pendente lite has particular importance for divorce cases in both Maryland and District of Columbia. In both jurisdictions, pursuant to written request of one spouse or the other, Maryland and DC divorce courts can order certain types of actions WHILE the divorce… Continue reading Pendente Lite: What Does It Mean and How Does It Apply to My Maryland/DC Divorce?

No. In the District of Columbia, there are no for-fault grounds for seeking a divorce. Thus, you cannot file for divorce based on adultery or has been cruel and abusive. However, facts related to adultery, abuse or other matters can still be presented to DC divorce court for purposes related to property settlement, alimony, child… Continue reading Can I File For Divorce in DC Based on Adultery?

From a legal perspective, typically, it does not matter too much which spouse files first for a divorce in either Maryland or the District of Columbia. Generally speaking, there are three circumstances where filing first might make a major difference: choosing the State in which to file if the spouses live in different States and… Continue reading Maryland and DC Divorce Laws: Does It Matter Who Files For Divorce First?

In practice, there are three methods of obtaining a “no-fault” divorce in Maryland even though only one is truly considered to be “no-fault.” First, in 2018, Maryland changed its divorce laws to permit actual “no-fault” divorces. This is called a Maryland “divorce by mutual consent.” A Maryland divorce by mutual consent allows for a divorce… Continue reading Columbia, MD Divorce Law Firm: No-Fault Divorce Options in Maryland

Under Maryland divorce law and the divorce law of the District of Columbia, there is a procedure for ending a marriage called an “annulment.” Annulment has some similarities to obtaining a Maryland or DC divorce, but they are legally distinct and have different legal requirements. Further, annulment has the legal significance that the marriage is… Continue reading Maryland and DC Divorce Attorneys: What Is an Annulment?

We, here at the Law Office of Thomas Stahl, have said this many times before and it must be repeated: obtaining a divorce is not a “do-it-yourself” process. Even for a “simple” divorce by mutual consent, the spouses need the protection of legal counsel. You could be “leaving” assets and support payments “on the table”… Continue reading Reasons to Hire Maryland/DC Lawyer For Your Divorce

In Maryland, divorce proceedings may be characterized as “contested” and “uncontested.” As the words imply, a contested divorce in Maryland is one where the spouses are contesting – arguing and disputing – certain issues in the divorce. In theory, one spouse could be contesting whether the divorce itself should be undertaken and whether the marriage… Continue reading Maryland Divorce Law: Divorce By Mutual Consent Explained