Maryland Divorce Forms

Maryland divorce forms are official court documents required to start, respond to, or finalize a divorce case. These forms are created and maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and must be filed with the Circuit Court in the county where you or your spouse lives. The Maryland court system has standardized most family law forms to make them easier for everyone to use, whether you're working with an attorney or representing yourself.

The good news is that Maryland provides most divorce forms free of charge through the Maryland Courts website at mdcourts.gov. You can download fillable PDF versions of forms, print them, complete them by hand or computer, and file them with the court. Additionally, Maryland offers a helpful tool called "Guide & File" that walks you through questions and automatically fills in forms based on your answers.

Essential Forms for Filing for Divorce

If you're the person starting the divorce (called the plaintiff), you'll need to file several key Maryland divorce forms with the Circuit Court.

Complaint for Absolute Divorce (Form CC-DR-020)

The Complaint for Absolute Divorce is the primary document that starts your divorce case. This form officially asks the court to end your marriage and addresses the major issues in your divorce.

When completing Form CC-DR-020, you'll provide:

Required Information in the Complaint:

• Your name, address, and contact information
• Your spouse's name, address, and contact information
• Where and when you were married
• Information about any minor or dependent children
• The grounds (legal reason) for your divorce
• What you're asking the court to do (grant the divorce, divide property, award custody, etc.)
• Whether you're requesting alimony or child support

Maryland law requires you to state at least one of three grounds for divorce: 6-month separation (you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for at least six months), irreconcilable differences (you have problems that can't be resolved), or mutual consent (both of you agree to divorce and have signed a settlement agreement).

The Complaint for Absolute Divorce form has multiple pages and requires careful attention to detail. You must be honest and complete when filling it out, as this document becomes part of the official court record.

Civil Domestic Case Information Report (Form CC-DCM-001)

Every divorce case in Maryland must include a Civil Domestic Case Information Report filed along with the complaint. This form collects basic information about your case including:

• The type of case (divorce, custody, child support, etc.)
• Parties' names and addresses
• Information about minor children
• Whether there are any related cases
• Whether any protective orders exist

This form helps the court manage your case efficiently and ensures important information is recorded in the court's system. Form CC-DCM-001 is required in all domestic cases filed in Maryland Circuit Courts.

Financial Statement Forms

If your divorce involves requests for alimony or child support, you must file a financial statement with your complaint. Maryland has two different financial statement forms depending on your situation:

Financial Statement (Child Support Guidelines) - Form CC-DR-030: Use this form if you're only requesting child support and your combined monthly gross income with your spouse is $30,000 or less. This shorter form focuses on information needed to calculate child support under Maryland's guidelines.

Financial Statement (General) - Form CC-DR-031: Use this longer, more detailed form if you're requesting alimony, or if your combined monthly gross income exceeds $30,000. This form requires extensive financial information, including income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets, and debts.

Financial statements contain sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. Because of this, you must also file Form MDJ-008 (Notice Regarding Restricted Information) to let the court know your financial statement contains confidential information that should be protected.

Forms for Mutual Consent Divorce

If you and your spouse agree to divorce and can resolve all issues between you, Maryland offers a streamlined process called mutual consent divorce. This faster, simpler option requires specific Maryland divorce forms.

Marital Settlement Agreement (Form CC-DR-116)

For a mutual consent divorce, you and your spouse must create and sign a Marital Settlement Agreement that resolves every issue in your divorce. This agreement must address:

Required Elements of Settlement Agreement:

• Division of all marital property and debts
• Whether either spouse will pay alimony, and if so, how much and for how long
• If you have children: custody arrangements, parenting time schedule, decision-making authority, and child support amounts

The settlement agreement becomes part of your divorce decree and is legally binding. Both spouses must sign the agreement, and your signatures must be notarized. If you later discover the agreement was signed under fraud, duress, or without full disclosure of assets, you may be able to challenge it, but this is difficult.

Creating a comprehensive, fair settlement agreement is one of the most important steps in your divorce. While Maryland provides a form template, many couples benefit from working with a family law attorney to ensure their agreement protects their interests and complies with Maryland law.

Child Support Guidelines Worksheet

Even with a mutual consent divorce, if your settlement agreement requires child support payments, you must complete and file a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. This worksheet shows how you calculated the child support amount to ensure it meets Maryland's requirements. The court must approve your child support amount as being in the children's best interests.

Forms for Responding to a Divorce

If your spouse filed for divorce and you received a Complaint for Absolute Divorce and Summons, you must respond using the proper Maryland divorce forms.

Answer to Complaint/Petition/Motion (Form CC-DR-050)

Your Answer is the formal document where you respond to everything your spouse said in their Complaint. When completing Form CC-DR-050, you'll go through each numbered paragraph of the complaint and either admit it (agree it's true), deny it (say it's false), or state that you don't have enough information to admit or deny it.

Deadlines for Filing Your Answer:

• 30 days if you were served with papers in Maryland
• 60 days if served in another U.S. state
• 90 days if served outside the United States

These deadlines are strict. If you miss your deadline, your spouse can file a Request for Order of Default (Form CC-DR-009), which means the court can grant the divorce and give your spouse everything they requested without your input. If you receive divorce papers, don't delay, file your answer promptly.

In your Answer, you can also raise defenses (legal reasons why you shouldn't be divorced or why certain things shouldn't happen) and file a counter-claim if you want the court to do something different from what your spouse requested.

Counter-Claim for Absolute Divorce (Form CC-DR-094)

If you want to ask the court for relief that's significantly different from what your spouse requested, you should file a Counter-Claim along with your Answer. For example, if your spouse requested alimony but you believe you should receive alimony instead, or if they asked for one type of custody arrangement but you want something different, file Form CC-DR-094.

Your Counter-Claim follows the same format as the original Complaint, you state what you want the court to do and why. Your spouse then has the right to file an Answer to your Counter-Claim, responding to your requests.

Forms Related to Children

When divorces involve minor children, additional Maryland divorce forms address custody, parenting time, and child support.

Joint Statement Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time (Form CC-DR-110)

If you and your spouse cannot agree on child custody arrangements, the court will need detailed information to make decisions in your children's best interests. Form CC-DR-110 helps you provide this information.

This form requires you to address:

• Each parent's proposed custody arrangement
• Each parent's work schedule
• The children's current school and activities
• Each parent's involvement in the children's lives
• Any special needs or concerns
• Proposed parenting time schedules

Both parents complete separate forms with their own proposals, giving the judge different perspectives to consider when making custody decisions.

Maryland Parenting Plan Tool

Maryland encourages parents to create detailed parenting plans that address how they'll share parenting responsibilities after divorce. The Maryland Parenting Plan Tool is an interactive form that helps you create a comprehensive parenting agreement covering:

• Regular parenting time schedule (when children are with each parent)
• Holiday and vacation schedules
• How you'll make decisions about education, healthcare, and religion
• How you'll communicate about the children
• How you'll handle changes to the schedule
• How you'll resolve disagreements

While not required in every case, creating a thorough parenting plan can prevent future conflicts and provide children with stability and predictability.

Joint Statement Concerning Marital and Non-Marital Property (Form CC-DR-033)

When you cannot agree on how to divide your property, Form CC-DR-033 helps the court understand what property exists, what each of you believes is marital versus separate property, and what each of you thinks would be a fair division.

This form requires you to list:

• All real estate you own
• Vehicles
• Bank accounts and investments
• Retirement accounts
• Personal property of significant value
• Businesses or professional practices
• Debts

For each asset, you identify whether you believe it's marital property (subject to division) or separate property (belonging to one spouse only), and you propose how it should be divided.

Additional Important Maryland Divorce Forms

Beyond the basic filing forms, several other Maryland divorce forms may be needed during your divorce case.

Motion for Restoration of Former Name (Form CC-DR-097)

If you want to return to your maiden name or another former name after divorce, you must ask the court through a motion. You can request a name change as part of your divorce proceedings, or within 18 months after your divorce is finalized, by filing Form CC-DR-097.

After 18 months post-divorce, you must file a separate name change case rather than using this form. The court will typically grant name restoration requests unless there's evidence the name change is being requested for fraudulent purposes.

Affidavit of Service Forms (Forms CC-DR-055 and CC-DR-056)

After you file your Complaint for Absolute Divorce, you must properly serve your spouse with copies of all documents. The person who serves the documents (this cannot be you) must then complete an Affidavit of Service proving that service happened.

Form CC-DR-055: Affidavit of Service for hand delivery (in-person service)

Form CC-DR-056: Affidavit of Service for certified mail service

These forms must include specific information about when, where, and how your spouse was served. Without proper service and a filed Affidavit of Service, your divorce case cannot proceed.

Request for Order of Default (Form CC-DR-009)

If your spouse doesn't respond to your divorce complaint within the required time frame, you can file Form CC-DR-009 asking the court to enter a default order. This allows your case to proceed even though your spouse hasn't participated.

However, even with a default, you must still prove your grounds for divorce and show that what you're requesting is fair. The default simply means your spouse has given up their right to contest the divorce.

Certificate of Service (Form CC-DR-058)

After the initial service of the divorce complaint, you must continue sending copies of everything you file with the court to your spouse. Each time you file something new, you complete the Certificate of Service section of the form or attach Form CC-DR-058, confirming that you provided a copy to your spouse by mail or hand delivery.

Using Maryland Guide & File

Maryland offers a valuable free tool called Guide & File that makes completing Maryland divorce forms much easier. This online interview system asks you questions in plain language and automatically fills in the correct forms based on your answers.

How Guide & File Works

To use Guide & File, visit the Maryland Courts website and select the type of form you need. The system then asks a series of questions about your situation. As you answer, Guide & File:

• Determines which forms you need
• Fills in the forms automatically with your information
• Ensures you don't miss required information
• Provides instructions for filing your forms

You can save your progress and return later if you need time to gather information. When you finish, Guide & File generates completed PDF forms ready to print, sign, and file with the court.

Available Guide & File Interviews

Maryland currently offers Guide & File interviews for several common Maryland divorce forms, including:

• Complaint for Absolute Divorce
• Complaint for Child Support
• Complaint for Custody
• Answer to Complaint/Petition/Motion
• Various other family law forms

While Guide & File is helpful, it doesn't provide legal advice. It's a form-filling tool, not a substitute for an attorney. If your case involves complex issues, substantial assets, or disagreements with your spouse, consulting with a family law attorney is wise even if you use Guide & File.

Where to File Maryland Divorce Forms

All divorce cases in Maryland must be filed with the Circuit Court, not the District Court. Each of Maryland's 24 counties plus Baltimore City has a Circuit Court that handles divorce cases.

You should file your Maryland divorce forms in the Circuit Court for:

• The county where you live
• The county where your spouse lives
• The county where both of you last lived together as a married couple

If the grounds for your divorce occurred outside Maryland, at least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for at least six months before filing. If the grounds occurred in Maryland, you only need to currently live in Maryland when you file.

Filing Fees

The filing fee for a divorce case in Maryland is $165, payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver by completing a fee waiver form and showing the court your income and expenses. Many people with low income qualify for fee waivers.

Electronic Filing (MDEC)

Maryland has implemented the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system, which allows electronic filing of court documents. As a self-represented person, you can choose whether to register for MDEC and e-file your forms or file in person or by mail.

However, there's an important rule: if you file even one document electronically through MDEC, you must file all future documents in that case electronically. Once you start e-filing, you cannot switch back to paper filing. Consider carefully whether you want to use MDEC before your first filing.

Getting Help with Maryland Divorce Forms

Completing Maryland divorce forms correctly is important, but you don't have to figure everything out alone. Several resources can help you.

Maryland Court Help Centers

Maryland operates free Family Court Help Centers where you can meet briefly with attorneys who can answer questions, help you understand forms, and provide limited legal advice. These lawyers cannot represent you in court or handle your entire case, but they offer valuable guidance for people representing themselves.

You can find a Court Help Center at most Maryland Circuit Courts, or call the statewide Maryland Court Help Center at 410-260-1392. Services are free, though availability may be limited.

The Maryland People's Law Library

The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) is a free website providing easy-to-understand legal information about Maryland law, including extensive information about divorce and family law. The site explains legal concepts, provides step-by-step instructions for common legal procedures, and links to relevant Maryland divorce forms.

Private Family Law Attorneys

While using free resources and representing yourself can work in straightforward, uncontested divorces, many situations benefit from hiring a private family law attorney. Consider consulting with an attorney if:

• You and your spouse disagree about important issues
• Your spouse has hired an attorney
• Your case involves substantial assets or debts
• Complex assets like businesses or pensions need dividing
• You have concerns about hidden assets
• Custody issues are contested
• Domestic violence is a factor
• You feel confused or overwhelmed by the process

An initial consultation with an attorney, even if you ultimately decide to represent yourself, can provide valuable perspective on your situation and help you understand your rights and options.

After Filing Maryland Divorce Forms

Once you file your Maryland divorce forms, your case enters the court system and follows a process with several potential steps.

Serving Your Spouse

After filing your complaint, the court issues a Writ of Summons. You must then have your spouse served with copies of the summons, complaint, and all attached forms within 60 days. Remember, you cannot serve the papers yourself, someone else must do it, such as a sheriff, private process server, or any adult not involved in your case.

Waiting for Response

Your spouse has 30-90 days (depending on where they were served) to file an Answer. During this time, you wait to see whether they'll contest the divorce or what issues they'll raise.

Court Proceedings

What happens next depends on whether your divorce is contested (you disagree on issues) or uncontested (you agree on everything). Uncontested divorces, especially mutual consent cases, typically proceed to a short hearing where a judge reviews your agreement and enters a final divorce decree.

Contested divorces may involve settlement negotiations, mediation, temporary hearings on urgent issues, discovery (exchanging information), and potentially a trial where a judge makes final decisions about contested issues.

Final Decree

When all issues are resolved, either by agreement or a judge's decision, the court enters a Judgment of Absolute Divorce, the final court order ending your marriage. This decree includes decisions about property division, alimony, custody, child support, and all other issues in your case.