Workplace or Employment Conflict Mediation

No Fault Divorce

Mastering Divorce in Maryland: Your Complete 2025 Guide

Navigating a Divorce in Maryland involves more than just filing papers—it requires understanding the legal process, financial implications, asset division, spousal support, and emerging trends. Whether you’re contemplating a no-fault divorce or preparing your finances, this guide will help you take confident steps toward resolution.


 Understanding Divorce in Maryland — The Basics

A Divorce in Maryland must start as an absolute divorce, as limited divorces have been eliminated since October 2023. Eligible grounds include:

  • Mutual consent

  • Six-month separation

  • Irreconcilable differences for at least 12 months (no-fault)

If spouses live separately—even under one roof—with an agreement to end the marriage, they satisfy the separation requirement.


 Divorce in Maryland and Equitable Property Division

Unlike community property states, Maryland follows an equitable distribution model. Property isn’t necessarily split 50/50—courts aim for fairness based on multiple factors including:

  • Length of marriage

  • Financial contributions

  • Custodial responsibilities

  • Potential tax and retirement consequences

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 Alimony in Maryland Divorce Cases

In a Divorce in Maryland, alimony (spousal support) may be awarded but is not automatic. It’s guided by:

Courts consider numerous factors to determine duration and amount, such as:

Important: You must request alimony during the divorce filing—you cannot request it later .

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 QDROs & Retirement in Maryland Divorce

A key component of many Divorce in Maryland cases is the Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). QDROs allow a spouse to receive a portion of the other spouse’s retirement benefits without penalty. Here’s what you need to know:

 When You Need a QDRO

If you split a retirement account like a 401(k) or pension, a QDRO formalizes your rights. Without it, the transfer isn’t legally valid—and may even incur penalties.

 Finding a QDRO Attorney

It’s wise to seek an attorney experienced in Maryland QDROs. Some respected specialists are:

  • Jolie Gelman Weinberg, Esq. – Family law and QDRO expert in Columbia, MD

  • Laura N. Venezia, Esq. – Solo practitioner focused solely on QDROs

  • Patrick Crawford, Esq. – Annapolis attorney skilled in marital asset division

  • Steve Thienel, Esq. – Estate & tax planning attorney with QDRO experience

These professionals ensure your Divorce in Maryland includes retirement benefits expertise.

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 The Role of No-Fault Divorce Laws in Maryland

Since the early 2000s, Maryland has adopted no-fault divorce provisions, including:

  • Six months’ separation

  • One-year period of irreconcilable differences

These provisions make a Divorce in Maryland easier to initiate and minimize conflict. However, future legislative efforts (e.g., “Project 2025”) may modify divorce grounds Staying informed of evolving laws is essential.

External link:
Maryland Courts – Divorce overview 


 Practical Tips for Divorce in Maryland

1. Gather Documentation Early

Compile bank statements, retirement info, property deeds, etc.

2. Consider Mediation

Mediation saves time, money, and stress. A clear work plan with attorneys and financial professionals helps.

3. File on Time

Request alimony at filing. Delays may cause you to lose rights 

4. Plan QDRO Early

Coordinate with your divorce attorney to prepare QDROs alongside settlement documents.

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 Legal Resources & References

  • Maryland Courts: Divorce & spousal support procedures

  • People’s Law Library – Maryland divorce overview 

  • People’s Law Library – Alimony rights and deadlines 

  • Maryland Divorce Hub – No guidelines for alimony amounts.


🔑 Final Takeaway

A Divorce in Maryland demands careful planning. From choosing the right legal strategy (alimony, equitable division, QDRO) to staying on schedule with filings and hearings, success lies in preparation. Utilize mediation, expert attorneys, and reliable financial professionals to lay a strong foundation. With the right team and timely action, your divorce can be both swift and equitable.

 

Conflict Mediation

Workplace or Employment Conflict Mediation

Foster a healthy and productive workplace by addressing conflicts with professional mediation. Workplace disputes, when left unresolved, can harm morale, disrupt productivity, and escalate into costly legal issues. Our mediation services provide a structured and confidential process to resolve conflicts efficiently while preserving working relationships.

What is Workplace Mediation?

Workplace mediation is a voluntary, confidential process designed to help employees and employers resolve disputes in a collaborative manner. A neutral third-party mediator facilitates open communication, encourages mutual understanding, and works toward achieving a resolution that benefits all parties.

Common Workplace Conflicts We Address

Our workplace mediation services are designed to handle a wide range of disputes, including:

  • Employee Grievances: Resolving concerns related to unfair treatment, discrimination, or harassment.
  • Interpersonal Conflicts: Addressing tensions between colleagues or teams.
  • Performance Disputes: Mediation around unmet expectations, performance reviews, or workplace policies.
  • Management-Employee Conflicts: Facilitating discussions on miscommunication or leadership challenges.
  • Workplace Dynamics: Improving collaboration and addressing personality clashes in the workplace.

Why Choose Mediation for Workplace Conflicts?

  • Confidentiality: Mediation offers a private space to discuss issues without fear of exposure or retaliation.
  • Cost-Effective: Avoid costly litigation by resolving disputes quickly.
  • Preservation of Relationships: Mediation helps repair and maintain working relationships, essential for team cohesion.
  • Neutral Perspective: A trained mediator provides an unbiased perspective and ensures fair treatment for all parties.
  • Customized Solutions: Mediation focuses on practical, tailored resolutions that work for everyone involved.

The Mediation Process

Our workplace mediation process is straightforward and effective:

  1. Initial Consultation: We meet with all parties individually to understand their perspectives and concerns.
  2. Joint Mediation Session: A neutral mediator facilitates a session where parties discuss their issues, listen to one another, and work toward common ground.
  3. Resolution Agreement: We draft a resolution agreement outlining the mutually agreed-upon steps to address the conflict.

When to Use Workplace Mediation

Workplace mediation is ideal for situations such as:

Why Work with Susan Saunders?

As a Maryland Court Certified Mediator, Susan Saunders provides a professional and impartial approach to resolving workplace disputes. His expertise in fostering open communication and understanding ensures that all parties are heard, creating a foundation for fair and constructive solutions.

With Susan’s guidance, organizations can address conflicts effectively, restore workplace harmony, and build agreements that promote long-term collaboration and productivity.

Key Benifits

Workplace mediation can help resolve a wide range of conflicts, including employee grievances, disputes between colleagues, manager-employee tensions, discrimination or harassment claims, and conflicts related to workplace policies or procedures.

The mediator facilitates a confidential discussion between the involved parties, allowing them to express their concerns and explore potential solutions. The mediator does not take sides or impose decisions but instead guides the conversation toward a mutually acceptable resolution.

The duration of workplace mediation depends on the complexity of the conflict. Most sessions are completed within a few hours or a single day, but more complex disputes may require multiple sessions to reach a resolution.

Mediation agreements are not automatically legally binding but can become so if all parties agree and formalize the resolution in a written agreement. This ensures clarity and accountability moving forward.

Workplace mediation fosters open communication, improves relationships, reduces stress, and provides cost-effective and timely conflict resolution. It also helps organizations maintain a positive work environment and avoid costly litigation or employee turnover.

Practice Areas

Family Court Mediaiton

Susan Saunders

Susan Saunders is a skilled conflict resolution expert specializing in family mediation. With over a decade of experience and extensive certifications, Susan has worked with numerous families to resolve complex disputes, particularly in high-conflict situations involving mental health and addiction challenges. Her compassionate, solution-focused approach aims to foster peaceful resolutions that prioritize the well-being of all parties involved.

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Erin Betz, LCSW-C/ Mediator

Erin Betz has worked with numerous families to resolve complex disputes, particularly in high-conflict situations involving mental health and family challenges. Her compassionate, solution-focused approach aims to foster peaceful resolutions that prioritize the well-being of all parties involved.

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Kara Willis

Kara Willis is a Certified Mediator with extensive experience in helping families navigate the complexities of uncontested divorce. With a strong background in family and conflict resolution, Kara has mediated hundreds of cases, focusing on creating amicable agreements that save time, reduce stress, and avoid the costs of litigation.

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Take the First Step Toward Resolution

Family court mediation can transform conflict into an opportunity for growth and understanding. If you’re facing divorce, custody, or other family-related disputes, let Maryland Mediation Services guide you through this challenging time with professionalism and care.

Free 20 minute Consult

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