Harford County Divorce and Family Law Lawyer
Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace and the surrounding communities, with cases filed in Bel Air.
Harford County has its own circuit court, sitting in Bel Air. If you live in Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Edgewood, Fallston or Forest Hill, your family case is generally filed there rather than in Towson, even though Towson is a straightforward drive down I-95 or Route 24.
Where Harford cases are heard
Family cases are heard at the Circuit Court for Harford County, 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. The clerk’s office can be reached at 410-638-3426.
Venue generally follows where you or your spouse lives, works or conducts business. Where spouses have separated and now live in different counties, more than one court may be proper, and which one you file in can affect timing. Worth deciding deliberately rather than by default.
What Maryland divorce looks like now
The rules changed in October 2023, and much of what circulates is out of date. Limited divorce was repealed entirely. Maryland has no legal separation status, so there is nothing to file to become legally separated. The fault grounds, including adultery and cruelty, were removed as grounds for divorce, though the circumstances that contributed to the breakdown still bear on alimony, property division and custody.
What remains: a six month separation, which spouses can now satisfy while living under the same roof if they are genuinely leading separate lives; irreconcilable differences, with no waiting period; permanent legal incapacity to consent; and mutual consent where there is a complete signed settlement agreement. See grounds for divorce in Maryland.
Reaching an agreement
Where spouses can resolve the substantive issues in writing, a mutual consent divorce is the fastest route through the court system. Where they cannot yet, mediation resolves a large share of cases. Either way, have the agreement reviewed by your own attorney before signing, since one lawyer cannot represent both spouses. See separation and marital settlement agreements.
Property, support and children
Maryland is an equitable distribution state, so the court identifies and values marital property and then decides whether a monetary award produces a fair result. Retirement accounts earned during the marriage are generally marital even when only one name is on the statement. See property and debt division, alimony, child support and custody and parenting plans.
Working with a Towson office
Our office is at 1107 Kenilworth Drive in Towson. Many court conferences are now held by video, so most of a Harford County case can be handled without repeated trips. See what to bring to your consultation.
Official resources
- Circuit Court for Harford County, Clerk’s Office
- Maryland Courts, divorce
- Maryland family law court forms
Related pages
Talk with a Towson family law attorney
Every divorce and custody matter turns on its own facts. The Law Office of Thomas K. Mallon, LLC offers a free consultation so you can get straight answers about your situation before you decide what to do next.
Call (410) 847-9075 or request a consultation online. The office is at 1107 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 305, Towson, MD 21204.
This page provides general information about Maryland law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Maryland law changes, and how it applies depends on the facts of your case.