Columbia Divorce Lawyer
When two married people reach a point where they can no longer sustain their relationship, divorce is often the best option. While the idea of going through a divorce can be overwhelming, a seasoned family law attorney could help move along the process and reduce the potential for conflict.
How Can a Columbia Divorce Lawyer Help?
While the process of obtaining a divorce might seem simple, there are strict legal guidelines that must be complied with before a court will issue a final decree. A Columbia divorce lawyer can ensure you meet the necessary requirements and guide you step-by-step through the process.
The attorney can also help handle complex paperwork on your behalf. The amount of paperwork usually depends on the specific circumstances. For example, a contested divorce might require more paperwork than an uncontested one. An experienced attorney will review your cases and help complete the necessary paperwork to proceed with the petition.
When you have a divorce attorney by your side, especially during these difficult times, you can rest assured that someone is fighting for you and not against you. A Columbia divorce attorney will always put your interests first, ensuring you make the right decisions.
This attorney can also help you negotiate important elements of the divorce process. For example, if you’re a stay-at-home mom, you may be eligible for spousal support.
Other issues such as child custody, child support, and the division of familial property might also arise depending on the nature of your case. Again, you can count on the attorney to fight for your best interest throughout the case.
What Are The Grounds for Divorce in Columbia?
There are two different types of grounds that could result in divorce in Columbia. These include “fault” and “no-fault” grounds for divorce. A divorce lawyer in Columbia can advise an individual considering divorce on the grounds that apply in their case.
Fault Divorce
The primary difference between the two forms of divorce is that fault divorce requires proof that the other spouse exhibited some kind of wrongful conduct. Each reason for divorce is different, but they generally involve allegations that resulted in the breakup of the marriage.
Adultery is one of the common grounds for a fault divorce, as is cruelty or imprisonment for a crime. Desertion and insanity are other examples of grounds for an at-fault divorce. Establishing these grounds can be important, as they could play a role in the amount of alimony that is awarded by the court.
No-Fault Divorce
With a no-fault divorce, a spouse does not have to prove any specific grounds. Instead, they need only show that they have lived separately from their spouse for 12 months. Alternatively, a couple could skip the 12-month time requirement if both of them mutually consent to the divorce.
Are There Any Residency Requirements?
It is not enough to have viable grounds for divorce. In order to have the court dissolve a marriage, a person must also have legal standing to pursue a divorce case in the state. This standing comes from being a resident of the state.
To file for divorce, at least one of the spouses in a marriage must be a current resident of Maryland. How long a person must have been a resident of the state depends on the grounds for the divorce. If the divorce grounds happened within the state, it is only necessary to be a resident on the date of filing.
If the divorce grounds happened outside of the state’s boundaries, at least one spouse must reside in Maryland for a minimum of six months before filing for divorce.
As long as a person meets the residency requirements—including any necessary period of separation—there are no mandatory waiting periods during the onset of the divorce case. This means that as soon as the court determines all requirements are met, the divorce is granted right away. A lawyer in Columbia can help streamline the divorce process and avoid mistakes that could delay the issuance of the divorce decree.
Do the Other Issues – Support, Custody, Alimony, and Property – Have to Be Decided Before Finalizing a Divorce in Columbia?
It’s advisable to have these issues finalized before divorce in order to prevent conflict or confusion after that. To put things into perspective, you cannot file for spousal support after a divorce in Maryland even if you would have been eligible for support had you filed before the divorce. A seasoned divorce attorney can help you understand your rights and devise a plan that has your best interests before and after divorce.
How a Columbia Divorce Lawyer From the Divorce With a Pan Can Help You
Divorcing is rarely easy. The breakup of a marriage can be a complex and emotional process under the best circumstances.
At the Divorce With a Plan, we can help you navigate these complex processes while keeping your best interests at heart. During the initial consultation, we will review your case and create a plan to help you obtain favorable results.
We will also walk you through the emotional divorce process, providing the shoulder you need to lean on and the legal advice you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Contact Divorce With a Plan For a Consultation
If you live in Columbia, MD, and are looking for a divorce attorney, we might be able to help. We understand how complex the divorce process is and the impact it tends to have on couples. If you need help, we are a phone call away.
Contact us here to schedule a consultation with one of our legal representatives. Alternatively, you can send us an email at info@josephialaw.com.
We will review your case and advise you on how to proceed.
Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM, ready to guide you through the divorce process. Call or email us today to consult a seasoned, committed, and compassionate Columbia divorce lawyer.