10/16/2026
Maryland and Washington, D.C., are both “no-fault divorce” jurisdictions, which means you can end a marriage without needing to prove wrongdoing by your spouse.
In Maryland, you can divorce on the basis of irreconcilable differences, six-month separation, or mutual consent. In D.C., simply no longer wishing to be married is enough grounds to divorce.
But that does not mean negative behavior has no impact on a divorce’s outcomes. Judges will still evaluate both spouses’ conduct during the marriage to fairly divide property, award alimony, and arrange child custody. For example, if one spouse gambled away their savings, a judge would have the discretion to award the other a larger share to offset the loss.
“No-fault” is a way to initiate a divorce, but it has little to do with the outcomes. If you are planning to file for divorce, no-fault or otherwise, WSM is here to make the process as smooth as possible for you and your spouse.