How to File for Divorce in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia

by Gross, James J.

• ISBN13: 9781572482401
• ISBN10: 1572482400
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• 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

Dedication	ix
Using Self-Help Law Books	xi
Introduction	xv
Section 1: What you Need to Know
Marriage and Divorce	3	(6)
Marriage--A Stealth Contract
Common Law Marriage
Marriage Counseling
Legal Separation
Annulments
Pendente Lite Relief
Divorce
The Emotional Divorce
Lawyers	9	(6)
Pro Se (Doing it Yourself)
Needing a Lawyer
Finding a Lawyer
Red Flags	15	(4)
Bank Account
Credit
Insurance
Utilities
Dating
Wills
Domestic Violence
Social Security
Get the Facts	19	(6)
Snooping
Documents
Section 2: Settlement Out of Court
Alternatives to Trial	25	(6)
Talking with Your Spouse
Negotiation
Mediation
Collaboration
Arbitration
Children
Different Types of Divorce	31	(2)
Contested Divorce
Uncontested Divorce
Length of Time
Cost
Separation Agreements
Separation Agreements	33	(14)
The Essence of Divorce
What to Include
Sample Separation Agreement
Section 3: Court Procedures
The Law	47	(2)
Constitution
Code
Cases
Rules
Where to Find the Law
Legal Requirements for Divorce	49	(6)
Jurisdiction
Venue
Grounds for Divorce
Maryland Grounds
Virginia Grounds
District of Columbia Grounds
Starting the Divorce	55	(10)
The Complaint
Maryland Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Virginia Bill of Complaint for Divorce
District of Columbia Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Information Requests	65	(4)
Maryland Civil-Domestic Case Information Report
Virginia Divorce Case Cover Sheet
District of Columbia Vital Statistics
Service of Process	69	(6)
Service of Process in General
Maryland Service
Virginia Service
District of Columbia Service
Finding Your Spouse	75	(4)
Maryland Alternative Service
Virginia Alternative Service
District of Columbia Alternative Service
Responding to a Complaint for Divorce	79	(6)
Maryland Answer
Virginia Answer
District of Columbia Answer
Default Divorce	85	(6)
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
Scheduling Conference and Order
Joint Request to Schedule an Uncontested Divorce Hearing
Virginia Uncontested Divorce	95	(4)
Required Forms
Filing Your Bill of Complaint
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	(8)
Maryland Uncontested Divorce
Virginia Uncontested Divorce
District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce
The Uncontested Divorce Hearing	111	(8)
Courtroom Behavior
Public Records
Maryland
Virginia
District of Columbia
Section 5: Contested Divorce
Preparing for A Contested Divorce Trial	119	(6)
Settlement Negotiations
Trial Preparation Tips
The Contested Divorce Trial	125	(6)
Elements of the Trial
Section 6: Children
Custody	131	(6)
Legal Custody and Physical Custody
Best Interest of the Children
Maryland Custody Factors
Virginia Custody Factors
District of Columbia Custody Factors
Custody Trial
Parenting Plans
Visitation	137	(12)
Typical Visitation Schedules
Visitation Disputes
Withholding Visitation
Grandparent Visitation
Sample Guidelines for Effective Parenting
Child Support	149	(12)
General Overview
Maryland Guidelines
Virginia Guidelines
District of Columbia Guidelines
Section 7: Other Financial Issues
Financial Statements	161	(10)
Maryland
Virginia
District of Columbia
Alimony	171	(4)
General Information
Alimony Factors
Property	175	(6)
Equitable Distribution
Equitable Distribution Factors
Pensions
After the Divorce	181	(6)
Finances
Difficult Former Spouse
Appeals
Changes
Records
Bankruptcy
Post-Divorce Checklist
Conclusion	187	(2)
Prenuptial Agreements
Feedback
Glossary	189	(184)
Section 8: Maryland
Appendix A: Summary of Maryland Divorce Laws	199	(4)
Appendix B: Child Support Guidelines in Maryland	203	(6)
Appendix C: Maryland Legal Clinics	209	(4)
Appendix D: Maryland Domestic Violence Shelters	213	(4)
Appendix E: Maryland Websites	217	(2)
Appendix F: Maryland Blank Forms	219	(38)
Section 9: Virginia
Appendix G: Summary of Virginia Divorce Laws	257	(4)
Appendix H: Child Support Guidelines in Virginia	261	(6)
Appendix I: Virginia Legal Clinics	267	(2)
Appendix J: Virginia Domestic Violence Shelters	269	(8)
Appendix K: Virginia Websites	277	(2)
Appendix L: Virginia Blank Forms	279	(36)
Section 10: District of Columbia
Appendix M: District of Columbia Laws	315	(4)
Appendix N: Child Support Guidelines in the District of Columbia	319	(6)
Appendix O: District of Columbia Legal Clinics	325	(2)
Appendix P: District of Columbia Domestic Violence Shelters	327	(2)
Appendix Q: District of Columbia Websites	329	(2)
Appendix R: District of Columbia Blank Forms	331	(42)
Index	373