A contested divorce in Rockville, Maryland requires strong legal guidance. Under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103, a contested divorce process lawyer Rockville can help you handle property division, custody, and support. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 documented case results in Montgomery County. Mr. Sris leads your case. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for Montgomery County | Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (official Maryland General Assembly)
In Maryland, a contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues — grounds for divorce, property division, alimony, child custody, or child support. Unlike an uncontested divorce where both parties sign a written agreement, a contested divorce requires court intervention. Maryland law under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 provides several grounds for divorce, including mutual consent (no separation required if both agree and have no minor children or a written agreement), 6-month separation, adultery, cruelty, and desertion. A Contested Divorce Lawyer Rockville from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can explain how these statutes apply to your specific situation. The firm was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep legal knowledge across multiple jurisdictions.
For official Maryland family law statutes, visit Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 7-103 (official Maryland General Assembly). For court procedures and forms, see the Maryland Circuit Court website.
- File a Complaint for Absolute Divorce at Montgomery County Circuit Court (191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850). Filing fee: $165.
- Serve the other spouse with the complaint and summons. Service by sheriff costs $40; private process server costs $50-$100.
- Respond to any counterclaims or motions filed by your spouse. Temporary hearings for support or custody typically occur within 30-60 days.
- Attend mandatory mediation and parenting seminar (if children are involved). Mediation costs $100-$350 per hour.
- Proceed to trial if no agreement is reached. Contested divorces take 6-18 months from filing to final decree.
In Montgomery County, a contested divorce carries no criminal penalties but involves significant financial and personal stakes. Equitable distribution of marital property, alimony, child support, and custody are determined by the court.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Court Decision | Timeline | Cost Impact | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Division | Equitable distribution | Marital property divided fairly (not necessarily equally) | Decided at trial or settlement | Varies by asset value | Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gift) excluded |
| Alimony | Rehabilitative or indefinite | Based on statutory factors including length of marriage, financial need, and ability to pay | Decided at trial or settlement | Varies by income | Modifiable upon showing of changed circumstances |
| Child Support | Maryland guidelines (income shares model) | Based on combined adjusted income of both parents | Ongoing until child emancipates | Calculated per guidelines | Health insurance and childcare costs added |
| Child Custody | Best interests of the child | Factors include fitness, stability, and child’s preference | Decided at trial or settlement | Custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+ | No presumption for either parent |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has handled 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute in Virginia, demonstrating deep family law knowledge. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
In Montgomery County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 95% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at Montgomery County courts, accessible via I-270, I-495, Route 355 (Rockville Pike), Route 29, and Route 97 (Georgia Ave). We serve Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase. A Contested Divorce Lawyer Rockville near you is available. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747
199 E Montgomery Ave Suite 100 Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
By appointment only.
Q: How long does a contested divorce take in Rockville, Maryland?
It depends. A contested divorce in Montgomery County typically takes 6-18 months from filing to final decree. Factors include the complexity of property division, custody disputes, and court scheduling. Temporary hearings for support or custody occur within 30-60 days of filing a motion.
Q: Does Maryland require separation before a contested divorce?
No. Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with no separation period if both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement. For a contested absolute divorce without consent, a 6-month separation is required. A Contested Divorce Lawyer Rockville can explain which ground applies to your case.
Q: How is property divided in a contested divorce in Maryland?
Maryland uses equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Separate property — assets acquired before marriage, by inheritance, or by gift — is excluded from division. The court considers factors like the length of marriage, each spouse’s financial contributions, and economic circumstances.
Q: What is the filing fee for a contested divorce in Montgomery County?
The Circuit Court divorce filing fee is $165. Additional costs include service of process by sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100), certified copies ($20 each), parenting seminar fee ($50-$100), mediation ($100-$350/hour), and custody evaluation ($3,000-$10,000+).
Q: Can I get alimony in a contested divorce in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland awards alimony based on statutory factors including the length of marriage, financial need, and ability to pay. Alimony can be rehabilitative (for a set period to allow the recipient to become self-supporting) or indefinite (in cases of long-term marriage or disability).
For more information about family law in Maryland, visit our Maryland Family Law Lawyer hub page. For neighboring localities, see our Prince George’s County Divorce Lawyer and Howard County Divorce Lawyer pages. For related practice areas in Montgomery County, see our Criminal Defense Lawyer Montgomery County and DUI Lawyer Montgomery County pages. Learn more about our team on our attorney profile page. Visit our Maryland office location page.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.