How long must a person reside in Maryland to file for divorce?

In Maryland, a person must reside in the state for at least six months before they can file for divorce. This requirement ensures that there is a sufficient connection to the state where the divorce is being filed. The six-month residency rule applies to filing for a divorce based on the grounds of separation, as well as most other grounds for divorce.

Residency is an important consideration because it helps to establish jurisdiction, which is necessary for the court to hear the case and make legal decisions regarding matters such as property division and alimony. It's essential for individuals seeking a divorce in Maryland to be aware of this residency requirement to ensure their divorce filing is valid and can proceed without jurisdictional challenges.

Other durations provided in the options are not aligned with Maryland law regarding divorce residency requirements. Therefore, while six months is the minimum requirement, the other time frames would either involve seeking other grounds or be inaccurately representing the state's statute.