Use this template/form as a Complaint for Absolute Divorce Form in the State of Maryland
Maryland Complaint for Absolute Divorce
Text version of this Form
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Circuit Court for Case No.
City or Countyvs.
Name NameStreet Address Apt # Street Address Apt #
( ) ( )
City State Zip Code Area Telephone City State Zip Code Area Telephone
Code Code
Plaintiff DefendantCOMPLAINT FOR ABSOLUTE DIVORCE
(DOM REL 20)I, , representing myself, state that:
My name
1. The Defendant and I were married on
Month Day Year
in in a civil religious ceremony.
City/County/State where Married2. Check all that apply:
I have lived in Maryland since:
Month/Year
My spouse has lived in Maryland since:
Month/Year3. Check all that apply: (See paragraph 13)
The grounds for divorce occurred in the State of Maryland.
The grounds for divorce occurred outside the State of Maryland and I or my spouse have been
a resident for at least one (1) year prior to the date of the filing of this Complaint.4. Check one:
We have no children together (skip paragraphs 6 through 10) or
My spouse and I are the parents of the following child(ren):Name Date of Birth Name Date of Birth
Name Date of Birth Name Date of Birth
Name Date of Birth Name Date of Birth
5. I know of the following related cases concerning the child(ren) or parties (such as domestic
violence, paternity, divorce, custody, visitation, termination of parental rights, adoption or other
cases):
Court Case No. Kind of Case Year Filed Results or Status (if you know)CC-DR 20 (Rev. 2/2012) Page 1 of 4
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6. I have been a party, witness, or otherwise involved in the following cases about custody or
visitation of the child(ren):
State Court Case No. Date of Child Custody DeterminationAttach the most recent court order for the above-referenced court cases.
7. I know of the following people, not parties to this case, who have physical custody of, or
claim rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with the child(ren):Name Current Address
Name Current Address
Name Current Address
8. The child(ren) are currently living with:
Name9. The child(ren) have lived in the following places, with the persons indicated during the last
five years:
Time Period Place Name(s)/Current Address of Person(s) with whom Child Lived10. It is in the best interests of the child(ren) that I have (check all that apply):
joint sole physical custody of .
Name of Children
joint sole legal custody of .
Name of Children
visitation with .
Name of Children11. I am am not seeking alimony because .
12. (You do not have to complete paragraph 12 if you are not asking the court to make decisions
about your property). My spouse and/or I have the following property and debts (check all that
apply):House(s) Furniture
Pension(s) Bank account(s) and investment(s)
Motor Vehicle(s) Family Use Personal Property
Debts (attach list) Other:13. My grounds for an absolute divorce are (check all that apply):
Twelve (12) Month Separation – From on or about , my spouse and I
Month/Day/Year
have lived separate and apart from each other in separate residences, without interruption,
without sexual intercourse, for more than 12 months.CC-DR 20 (Rev. 2/2012) Page 2 of 4
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Adultery – My spouse committed adultery.
Actual Desertion – On or about , my spouse, without just cause or reason,
Month/Day/Year
abandoned and deserted me, with the intention of ending our marriage. This abandonment has
continued without interruption for more than 12 months and there is no reasonable expectation
we will reconcile.
Constructive Desertion – I left my spouse because his/her cruel and vicious conduct made the
continuation of our marriage impossible, if I were to preserve my health, safety, and
self-respect. This conduct was the final and deliberate act of my spouse and our separation has
continued without interruption for more than 12 months and there is no reasonable expectation
that we will reconcile.
Criminal Conviction of a Felony or Misdemeanor – On or about , my
Month/Day/Year
spouse was sentenced to serve at least three years or an indeterminate sentence in a penal
institution and has served 12 or more months of the sentence.
Cruelty/Excessively Vicious Conduct Against Me or my Minor Child – My spouse has
persistently treated my minor child cruelly and has engaged in excessively vicious conduct
rendering continuation of the marital relationship impossible and there is no reasonable
expectation that we will reconcile.Insanity – On or about , my spouse was confined to a mental institution,
Month/Day/Year
hospital, or other similar institution and has been confined for 3 or more years. Two doctors
competent in psychiatry will testify that the insanity is incurable and there is no hope of
recovery. My spouse or I have been a resident of Maryland for at least two years before the
filing of this complaint.FOR THESE REASONS, I request (check all that apply):
X An Absolute Divorce.
A change back to my former name:
Full Former Name
Joint Sole physical custody of the minor child(ren) and reasonable child support.
Joint Sole legal custody of the minor child(ren) and reasonable child support.
Visitation with the minor child(ren).
Use and possession of the family home for up to three years from the date of the divorce.
Use and possession of the family use personal property for up to three years from the date of the
divorce.
Child support (attach Form DOM REL 30 or DOM REL 31).
Health insurance for the child(ren).
Health insurance for me.
My share of the property or its value.
Transfer of family use personal property.
Transfer of the real property jointly owned by the parties located atfrom to
CC-DR 20 (Rev. 2/2012) Page 3 of 4
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Authorize to purchase from
Name of party Name of party
an interest in real property located atA monetary award (money) based on marital property.
Alimony (attach Form DOM REL 31).
X Any other appropriate relief.I, solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury,
Your Name
that the contents of this document are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.Date Signature
CC-DR 20 (Rev. 2/2012) Page 4 of 4