In Howard County, Maryland, a fault based divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 allows you to seek dissolution based on grounds such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. The Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division) handles all divorce filings.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer in Howard County, Maryland
Maryland law provides several grounds for divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103. A fault based divorce may be granted on grounds including adultery (no waiting period), cruelty of treatment (6-month separation required), excessively vicious conduct (no waiting period), desertion (12-month separation), or mutual consent (no separation period required if both parties agree and have a written agreement on all issues). The Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division) at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043 has jurisdiction over all divorce, alimony, and equitable distribution matters. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
For the full text of Maryland’s divorce grounds, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For alimony provisions, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 8-205 (Maryland General Assembly — official site).
In the Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division), prosecutors are not involved in divorce cases, but the court’s family division judges routinely scrutinize fault-based claims for corroborating evidence. We have observed that judges in Howard County require independent proof beyond the parties’ testimony for grounds like adultery or cruelty.
- Step 1: Identify your fault grounds (adultery, cruelty, desertion, or mutual consent).
- Step 2: Gather corroborating evidence — text messages, emails, financial records, or witness statements.
- Step 3: File a Complaint for Divorce at the Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division).
- Step 4: Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff or private process server.
- Step 5: Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody orders.
- Step 6: Complete the mandatory parenting seminar before the final hearing.
In Howard County, Maryland, a fault based divorce carries no criminal penalties but involves financial and legal consequences including equitable distribution of marital property, alimony, child support, and custody determinations.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fault Based Divorce (Adultery) | Civil Matter | None | None (court costs apply) | None | Equitable distribution may be affected; alimony may be barred for the at-fault spouse |
| Fault Based Divorce (Cruelty) | Civil Matter | None | None (court costs apply) | None | Protective orders may be issued; custody may be impacted |
| Fault Based Divorce (Desertion) | Civil Matter | None | None (court costs apply) | None | 12-month separation required; property division may be affected |
Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ. While specific Howard County family law case results are not separately tracked, the firm’s overall favorable-outcome rate exceeds 93%. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 20 miles from the Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division) at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, with access via I-95, Route 29, and Route 32. If you need a fault based divorce lawyer near Howard County, we serve the communities of Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Clarksville, Highland, Savage, Jessup, and Laurel (partial). 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fault Based Divorce in Howard County
Does Maryland require separation before divorce?
Not always.
Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with NO separation period — both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement. For absolute divorce without consent, 6-month separation is required. Filed at Howard County Circuit Court. Circuit Court divorce filing fee: $165; service of process by sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100); certified copies: $20 each; parenting seminar fee: approximately $50-$100; mediation: $100-$350/hour; custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+. SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division))
How much does a divorce cost in Howard County, Maryland?
It depends on complexity.
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division) plus attorney fees — typically a flat fee or limited hourly. Contested divorce scales with complexity: custody evaluations, property appraisals, pension analysis, and trial preparation all affect fees. High-asset cases involving business valuation, stock options, or international assets require substantial retainers. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. discusses fee structure at initial consultation — (888) 437-7747, by appointment only. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division))
How is child support calculated in Howard County, Maryland?
Using Maryland guidelines.
Maryland child support uses guidelines based on combined adjusted income of both parents (Family Law Art. § 12-202). The formula considers number of children, health insurance, childcare, and parenting time. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Howard County (3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202; District Court of MD for Howard County)
How does custody work in Howard County, Maryland?
Based on experienced interests.
Maryland uses the experienced interests standard with factors including fitness, character, stability, and child’s preference. There is no presumption for either parent. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Howard County (3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043). Mediation often ordered for custody disputes. Mandatory parenting seminar for cases involving children. SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101; District Court of MD for Howard County)
What are the fault grounds for divorce in Howard County, Maryland?
Adultery, cruelty, desertion, and more.
Maryland recognizes several fault grounds for divorce under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, including adultery (no waiting period), cruelty of treatment (6-month separation), excessively vicious conduct (no waiting period), desertion (12-month separation), and mutual consent (no separation period). An at-fault divorce lawyer in Howard County can help you handle these grounds and gather necessary evidence. (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103; Circuit Court for Howard County (Family Division))
For more information, visit our Limited Divorce Lawyer Maryland hub page. You may also find these pages useful: Limited Divorce Lawyer Calvert County, Limited Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County, and Limited Divorce Lawyer Charles County.
Last verified: April 2026. This page was last updated on 2026-04-29.