Maryland Divorce and Dissolution Resources: Know Your Next Step
FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.
A Maryland divorce is filed in the Circuit Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
Maryland's core family statutes live in the Maryland Code Family Law. In Maryland, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official Maryland divorce resources
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Maryland family law forms (official index) (Maryland judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Maryland family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mdcourts.gov/family/forms
Maryland court self-help resources (Maryland courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Maryland family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mdcourts.gov/selfhelp
Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): MDEC e-filing works in every Maryland county. If you do not have a lawyer you can choose to e-file or keep filing on paper, whichever is easier for you. https://efilemd.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/
Maryland official filing information (Maryland judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Maryland and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingpublic
Maryland financial affidavit and disclosure forms (mdcourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Maryland family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.mdcourts.gov/family/formsindex
Maryland mediation and dispute resolution (Maryland judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Maryland family case without a trial. https://www.mdcourts.gov/macro
Verified official Maryland divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Answer to Complaint / Petition / Motion (CC-DR-050), form CC-DR-050 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr050.pdf
CC-DR-020 - Complaint for Absolute Divorce, form DR-020 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/family/forms/ccdr020.pdf/ccdr020.pdf
CC-DRIN-A - Instructions for Completing and Filing Divorce Forms (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdrina.pdf
Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020), form CC-DR-020 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr020.pdf
Counter-Claim for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-094), form CC-DR-094 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr094.pdf
Marital Settlement Agreement (CC-DR-116), form CC-DR-116 (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr116.pdf
Official link data for Maryland was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in Maryland?
In the Circuit Court that serves the county where you live. In Maryland, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Maryland?
Divorce filing fee: ~$165. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a Maryland divorce?
No. Maryland publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.
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