File for Divorce in Maryland, Virginia, And the District of Columbia

by Gross, James J.

• ISBN13: 9781572485365
• ISBN10: 1572485361
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

Simplifies and thoroughly explains everything you need to know to handle a divorce in Maryland, Virginia or in the District of Columbia

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books	xiii
Introduction	xvii
Section 1: What You Need to Know
Marriage and Divorce	1	(6)
Marriage
Common-Law Marriage
Marriage Counseling
Divorce
Legal Separation
Pendente Lite Relief
Annulments
The Emotional Divorce
Lawyers	7	(6)
Doing it Yourself
Needing a Lawyer
Attorney's Fees
Finding a Lawyer
Red Flags	13	(6)
Bank Accounts
Credit Issues
Insurance
Utilities
Dating
Wills
Domestic Violence
Social Security
Red Flag Items Checklist
Get the Facts	19	(4)
Snooping
Documents to Gather Checklist
Section 2: Settlement Out of Court
Alternatives to Trial	23	(6)
Talking with Your Spouse
Negotiation
Mediation
Collaboration
Arbitration
Children
Different Types of Divorce	29	(4)
Contested Divorce
Uncontested Divorce
Length of Time
Cost
Separation Agreements
Separation Agreements	33	(14)
The Essence of Divorce
What to Include in Your Separation Agreement
Sample Separation Agreement
Section 3: Court Procedures
Legal Requirements for Divorce	47	(10)
Constitution
Codes
Cases
Rules
Where to Find the Law
Jurisdiction
Residency
Venue
Grounds for Divorce
Maryland Grounds
Virginia Grounds
District of Columbia Grounds
Starting the Divorce	57	(12)
The Complaint
Maryland Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Virginia Complaint for Divorce
District of Columbia Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Answer
Information Reports	69	(4)
Maryland Civil---Domestic Case Information Report
Virginia Divorce Case Cover Sheet
District of Columbia Certificate of Divorce
Service of Process	73	(8)
Maryland Service
Virginia Service
District of Columbia Service
Once You Have Served Your Spouse
Finding Your Spouse	81	(6)
Attempts to Locate Your Spouse
Maryland Alternative Service
Virginia Alternative Service
District of Columbia Alternative Service
Default Divorce	87	(4)
Maryland Default
Virginia Default
District of Columbia Default
Section 4: Uncontested Divorce
Maryland Uncontested Divorce	91	(4)
Required Forms
Filing a Complaint
Service of Process
Answer
Joint Request to Schedule an Uncontested Divorce Hearing
Virginia Uncontested Divorce	95	(4)
Required Forms
Filing Your Complaint for Divorce
Request for Ore Tenus Hearing
District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce	99	(4)
Required Forms
Filing Your Complaint
Service of Process
Answer
Praecipe for Uncontested Divorce
Preparing for the Uncontested Divorce Hearing	103	(12)
Maryland Uncontested Divorce
Maryland Uncontested Divorce Checklist
Virginia Uncontested Divorce
Virginia Uncontested Divorce Checklist
District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce
District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce Checklist
The Uncontested Divorce Hearing	115	(6)
Courtroom Behavior
Public Records
Maryland Hearing
Virginia Hearing
District of Columbia Hearing
Section 5: Contested Divorce
Preparing for a Contested Divorce Trial	121	(6)
Settlement Negotiations
Trial Preparation Checklist
The Contested Divorce Trial	127	(6)
Elements of the Trial
Tips for Your Testimony
Section 6: Children
Custody	133	(8)
Legal Custody and Physical Custody
Best Interests of the Children
Maryland Custody Factors
Virginia Custody Factors
District of Columbia Custody Factors
Custody Trial
Parenting Plans
Visitation	141	(10)
Typical Visitation Schedules
Visitation Disputes
Withholding Visitation
Grandparent Visitation
Sample Guidelines for Effective Parenting
Child Support	151	(12)
General Overview
Maryland Guidelines
Virginia Guidelines
District of Columbia Guidelines
Section 7: Other Financial Issues
Financial Statements	163	(12)
Maryland
Virginia
District of Columbia
Alimony	175	(6)
General Information
Alimony Factors
Property	181	(8)
Equitable Distribution
Equitable Distribution Factors
Pensions
After the Divorce	189	(8)
Finances
Difficult Former Spouse
Appeals
Changes
Records
Bankruptcy
Postdivorce Checklist
Glossary	197	(176)
Section 8: Maryland
Appendix A: Summary of Maryland Divorce Laws	209	(2)
Appendix B: Child Support Guidelines in Maryland	211	(6)
Appendix C: Maryland Resources	217	(6)
Appendix D: Maryland Blank Forms	223	(34)
Section 9: Virginia
Appendix E: Summary of Virginia Divorce Laws	257	(2)
Appendix F: Child Support Guidelines in Virginia	259	(6)
Appendix G: Virginia Resources	265	(8)
Appendix H: Virginia Blank Forms	273	(34)
Section 10: District of Columbia
Appendix I: Summary of District of Columbia Divorce Laws	307	(4)
Appendix J: Child Support Guidelines in the District of Columbia	311	(6)
Appendix K: District of Columbia Resources	317	(4)
Appendix L: District of Columbia Blank Forms	321	(52)
Index	373