A limited divorce in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, allowing spouses to live apart while resolving issues like custody and support without ending the marriage; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience and handles family law matters in St. Mary’s County.
Limited Divorce Lawyer St Marys County, Maryland
A limited divorce in Maryland, also known as a divorce from bed and board, is a legal separation under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103. Unlike an absolute divorce, a limited divorce does not terminate the marriage but allows spouses to live apart while the court addresses issues such as spousal support, child custody, and child support. In St. Mary’s County, limited divorce cases are filed at the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division), located at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The filing fee for a divorce complaint is $165. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: April 2026 | Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
For the full text of Maryland’s divorce statutes, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For child support guidelines, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12-202 (Maryland General Assembly — official site).
In Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, family law cases are assigned to a specific judge who oversees all pre-trial and trial matters. We have observed that the court strongly encourages mediation for custody disputes and may require a parenting seminar before issuing a final order.
- File a Complaint for Limited Divorce at the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division).
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff or private process server.
- Attend the mandatory case management conference.
- Complete mediation if ordered by the court.
- Attend the final hearing to obtain the limited divorce decree.
In St. Mary’s County, a limited divorce does not carry criminal penalties but involves court orders for support, custody, and property arrangements that are enforceable by contempt.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to pay spousal support | Civil contempt | Up to 6 months | N/A | N/A | Wage garnishment, lien on property |
| Violation of custody order | Civil contempt | Up to 6 months | N/A | N/A | Modification of custody, attorney fees |
Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in St. Mary’s County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ with over 93% favorable outcomes. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 60 miles from Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, with access via Route 5 and Route 235. If you are searching for a limited divorce lawyer near St. Mary’s County, we serve clients throughout the area. Serving the communities of Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville (MD). 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 Limited Divorce in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s 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.
How much does a divorce cost in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
It depends. Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for St. Mary’s 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.
How is child support calculated in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes.
How does custody work in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). 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.
How to file for divorce lawyer St. Mary’s County?
To file for divorce in St. Mary’s County, you must first determine your grounds (mutual consent, 6-month separation, or fault-based). Then, prepare a Complaint for Absolute or Limited Divorce and file it at the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County (Family Division), 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The filing fee is $165. A dissolution of marriage lawyer St. Mary’s County can assist with preparing the complaint, serving your spouse, and handling the court process. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment.
Montgomery County Family Law Lawyer
Prince George’s County Family Law Lawyer
Last verified: April 2026 | Page generated: 2026-04-28