Divorce · Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Divorce lawyer in Annapolis, Maryland
I help people in Anne Arundel County and across Maryland through divorce, from the first questions about separating to a signed agreement or a judge’s order. An uncontested divorce can take as little as 60 to 90 days after filing. A contested one usually takes several months to more than a year.
- Uncontested
- As little as 60–90 days after filing
- Contested
- Several months to over a year
- Residency
- One spouse in Maryland 6 months
- First step
- Paid consultation, in person or video
Divorce in Maryland means lots of decisions about your children, child support and spousal support, property division, and when it becomes final. You can agree on all of it, agree on some of it, or ask a judge to decide.
Talk with Tasnima Apol. You work with me directly, not an associate.
Call 443-333-9230Send a messageWhat are the steps in a Maryland divorce?
Every case starts with a filed complaint and ends with a judgment. What happens in between depends on how much you and your spouse agree on.
- 1Filing and serviceThe complaint is filed and served on your spouse, who then has a deadline to respond.
- 2Temporary orders, if neededCustody, support, or use of the home can be set for the time the case is open.
- 3DiscoveryBoth sides exchange financial records: income, accounts, debts, retirement.
- 4SettlementMost cases settle through negotiation, mediation, or a collaborative process.
- 5Trial, if you cannot agreeA judge decides the issues that remain.
- 6Judgment and afterRetitling property, dividing retirement accounts, updating your will and beneficiaries.
What should I do before filing for divorce?
Gather the financial basics: recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank and retirement statements, the mortgage, and any debts. Write down how parenting works today. Then talk with a lawyer before you move out, move money, or sign anything.
What if my spouse has already filed?
You have a deadline to respond, and missing it can let the case go forward without you. Bring the papers to your consultation. We will go through what was asked for and what your answer needs to say.
How is property divided in a Maryland divorce?
Maryland courts divide marital property in a way the court considers fair. Retirement accounts, pensions, and the family home usually need the most care in property division.
What if the divorce involves a business or significant assets?
If you or your spouse own a business, a professional practice, real estate, or substantial investments, those assets usually need to be identified and valued before they can be divided. I work through them with you, and with appraisers or accountants when the case needs them.
Can we agree on the terms of the divorce ourselves?
You will always have to go to a court to get a divorce decree, but you can reach agreement on the terms of the divorce. If you agree on property, support, and parenting, a written settlement agreement can make the divorce uncontested. If you agree on some things, mediation or a collaborative divorce can help you settle the rest.
Questions people ask
Do I have to live in Maryland to file here?
No. At least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months before filing. You can file in Maryland even if your spouse lives in another state.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?
In an uncontested divorce you agree on everything and the court mainly approves your agreement. In a contested divorce the court decides what you cannot agree on, which takes longer and costs more.
Do you handle custody, child support, and spousal support as part of the divorce?
Yes. Custody, child support, and alimony (also called spousal support) are usually decided in the same case, and I handle all of them.
What happens at the first consultation?
We go through your situation, the documents that matter, and your options under Maryland law. The consultation is paid. If we work together, you will know the approach, the likely timeline, and how fees work before anything is filed.
Talk with Tasnima Apol
Thinking about divorce, or already served?
Call before you move out, move money, or sign anything. Those steps can affect custody and property later. Bring any papers you have received to the consultation.
22½ West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · By appointment
General information, not legal advice for your situation.
- 1You call or write.
Tell me what is going on. I will tell you whether it is something I handle and what the first step would be.
- 2We meet, in person or by video.
A paid consultation where we go through your situation, the documents that matter, and your options under Maryland law.
- 3You decide, with a plan in hand.
If we work together, you will know the approach, the likely timeline, and how fees work before anything is filed.