<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-101" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses"> <level label="a"> <text>A husband and wife may make a valid and enforceable deed or agreement that relates to alimony, support, property rights, or personal rights.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A husband and wife may make a valid and enforceable settlement of alimony, support, property rights, or personal rights.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-102" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses"> <text>A deed or agreement between spouses is not a bar to an action for absolute or limited divorce, regardless of whether the deed or agreement was executed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>when the parties were living together or apart; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>before, after, or while there was a ground for divorce.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-103" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses"> <level label="a"> <text>The court may modify any provision of a deed, agreement, or settlement with respect to the care, custody, education, or support of any minor child of the spouses, if the modification would be in the best interests of the child.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The court may modify any provision of a deed, agreement, or settlement with respect to spousal support executed on or after January 1, 1976, regardless of how the provision is stated, unless there is a provision that specifically states that the provisions with respect to spousal support are not subject to any court modification.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The court may modify any provision of a deed, agreement, or settlement with respect to alimony or spousal support executed on or after April 13, 1976, regardless of how the provision is stated, unless there is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an express waiver of alimony or spousal support; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a provision that specifically states that the provisions with respect to alimony or spousal support are not subject to any court modification.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-105" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The court may enforce by power of contempt the provisions of a deed, agreement, or settlement that are merged into a divorce decree.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may enforce by power of contempt or as an independent contract not superseded by the divorce decree the provisions of a deed, agreement, or settlement that contain language that the deed, agreement, or settlement is incorporated but not merged into a divorce decree.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The court may modify any provision of a deed, agreement, or settlement that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>incorporated, whether or not merged, into a divorce decree; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subject to modification under § 8-103 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-201" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Child” means a child:</text> <level label="1"> <text>under the age of 18 years; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>18 years old or older and dependent on a parent because of mental or physical infirmity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Family home” means the property in this State that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>was used as the principal residence of the parties when they lived together;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is owned or leased by 1 or both of the parties at the time of the proceeding; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is being used or will be used as a principal residence by 1 or both of the parties and a child.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Family home” does not include property:</text> <level label="i"> <text>acquired before the marriage;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>excluded by valid agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Family use personal property” means tangible personal property:</text> <level label="i"> <text>acquired during the marriage;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>owned by 1 or both of the parties; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>used primarily for family purposes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Family use personal property” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>motor vehicles;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>furniture;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>furnishings; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>household appliances.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Family use personal property” does not include property:</text> <level label="i"> <text>acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>excluded by valid agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Marital property” means the property, however titled, acquired by 1 or both parties during the marriage.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Marital property” includes any interest in real property held by the parties as tenants by the entirety unless the real property is excluded by valid agreement.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, “marital property” does not include property:</text> <level label="i"> <text>acquired before the marriage;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>excluded by valid agreement; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>directly traceable to any of these sources.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-202" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>When the court grants an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce, the court may resolve any dispute between the parties with respect to the ownership of personal property.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When the court grants an annulment or an absolute divorce, the court may resolve any dispute between the parties with respect to the ownership of real property.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in § 8–205 of this subtitle, the court may not transfer the ownership of personal or real property from one party to the other.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When the court determines the ownership of personal or real property, the court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>grant a decree that states what the ownership interest of each party is; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as to any property owned by both of the parties, order a partition or a sale instead of partition and a division of the proceeds.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-203" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>In a proceeding for an annulment or an absolute divorce, if there is a dispute as to whether certain property is marital property, the court shall determine which property is marital property:</text> <level label="1"> <text>when the court grants an annulment or an absolute divorce;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>within 90 days after the court grants an annulment or divorce, if the court expressly reserves in the annulment or divorce decree the power to make the determination; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>after the 90–day period if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the court expressly reserves in the annulment or divorce decree the power to make the determination;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>during the 90–day period, the court extends the time for making the determination; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the parties consent to the extension.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In this subtitle a military pension shall be considered in the same manner as any other pension or retirement benefit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-204" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the court shall determine the value of all marital property.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The court need not determine the value of a pension, retirement, profit sharing, or deferred compensation plan, unless a party has given notice in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection that the party objects to a distribution of retirement benefits on an “if, as, and when” basis.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a party objects to the distribution of retirement benefits on an “if, as, and when” basis and intends to present evidence of the value of the benefits, the party shall give written notice at least 60 days before the date the joint statement of the parties concerning marital and nonmarital property is required to be filed under the Maryland Rules. If notice is not given in accordance with this paragraph, any objection to a distribution on an “if, as, and when” basis shall be deemed to be waived unless good cause is shown.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-205" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, after the court determines which property is marital property, and the value of the marital property, the court may transfer ownership of an interest in property described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, grant a monetary award, or both, as an adjustment of the equities and rights of the parties concerning marital property, whether or not alimony is awarded.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may transfer ownership of an interest in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a pension, retirement, profit sharing, or deferred compensation plan, from one party to either or both parties;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to the consent of any lienholders, family use personal property, from one or both parties to either or both parties; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>subject to the terms of any lien, real property jointly owned by the parties and used as the principal residence of the parties when they lived together, by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ordering the transfer of ownership of the real property or any interest of one of the parties in the real property to the other party if the party to whom the real property is transferred obtains the release of the other party from any lien against the real property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>authorizing one party to purchase the interest of the other party in the real property, in accordance with the terms and conditions ordered by the court; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>both.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The court shall determine the amount and the method of payment of a monetary award, or the terms of the transfer of the interest in property described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, or both, after considering each of the following factors:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the contributions, monetary and nonmonetary, of each party to the well-being of the family;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the value of all property interests of each party;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the economic circumstances of each party at the time the award is to be made;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the circumstances that contributed to the estrangement of the parties;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the duration of the marriage;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the age of each party;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the physical and mental condition of each party;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>how and when specific marital property or interest in property described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, was acquired, including the effort expended by each party in accumulating the marital property or the interest in property described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, or both;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>the contribution by either party of property described in § 8-201(e)(3) of this subtitle to the acquisition of real property held by the parties as tenants by the entirety;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>any award of alimony and any award or other provision that the court has made with respect to family use personal property or the family home; and</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>any other factor that the court considers necessary or appropriate to consider in order to arrive at a fair and equitable monetary award or transfer of an interest in property described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The court may reduce to a judgment any monetary award made under this section, to the extent that any part of the award is due and owing.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-206" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <text>The court shall exercise its powers under §§ 8-207 through 8-213 of this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to enable any child of the family to continue to live in the environment and community that are familiar to the child; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to provide for the continued occupancy of the family home and possession and use of family use personal property by a party with custody of a child who has a need to live in that home.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-207" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>In a proceeding for an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce, the court may determine which property is the family home and family use personal property:</text> <level label="1"> <text>before the court grants an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>when the court grants an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A preliminary or pendente lite determination is subject to modification during the pendency of the proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the court determines that there is no need for an order or decree issued under this section regarding the family home or all or any part of family use personal property, the property shall be treated as marital property if it otherwise would have been treated as marital property.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-208" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>When the court grants an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce, regardless of how the family home or family use personal property is titled, owned, or leased, the court may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>decide that one of the parties shall have the sole possession and use of that property; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>divide the possession and use of the property between the parties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may exercise these powers pendente lite.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In awarding the possession and use of the family home and family use personal property, the court shall consider each of the following factors:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the best interests of any child;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the interest of each party in continuing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to use the family use personal property or any part of it, or to occupy or use the family home or any part of it as a dwelling place; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to use the family use personal property or any part of it, or to occupy or use the family home or any part of it for the production of income; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any hardship imposed on the party whose interest in the family home or family use personal property is infringed on by an order issued under §§ 8–207 through 8–213 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The court may order or decree that either or both of the parties pay all or any part of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any mortgage payments or rent;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any indebtedness that is related to the property;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the cost of maintenance, insurance, assessments, and taxes; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any similar expenses in connection with the property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An order giving a party the sole possession and use of the family home under subsection (a) of this section does not affect the right of the other party to claim the family home as that party’s principal residence for tax purposes.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-209" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <text>In a temporary or final order or decree, each provision that concerns the family home or family use personal property is subject, as the circumstances and justice may require, to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the terms and conditions that the court sets;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the time limits that the court sets, subject to § 8-210 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>modification or dissolution by the court.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-210" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In any order or decree, or any modification of an order or decree, a provision that concerns the family home or family use personal property shall terminate no later than 3 years after the date on which the court grants an annulment or a limited or absolute divorce.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The 3-year limitation set out in paragraph (1) of this subsection applies to a limited divorce notwithstanding the subsequent granting of an absolute divorce.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in any order or decree, or any modification of an order or decree, a provision that concerns the family home or family use personal property shall terminate when the party with the possession or use of the property remarries.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>When a provision that concerns the family home or family use personal property terminates, the court shall treat the property as marital property if the property qualifies as marital property, and adjust the equities and rights of the parties concerning the property as set out in § 8-205 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-211" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <text>An order, award, or decree under §§ 8-207 through 8-209 of this subtitle may not be considered as evidence of constructive desertion.</text> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-212" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <text>If an annulment or a divorce has been granted by a court in a foreign jurisdiction, a court in this State may exercise the powers under this subtitle if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>one of the parties was domiciled in this State when the foreign proceeding was commenced; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the court in the other jurisdiction lacked or did not exercise personal jurisdiction over the party domiciled in this State or jurisdiction over the property at issue.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-213" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>Any order, award, or decree entered under this subtitle may be enforced under the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Any decree of annulment or of limited or absolute divorce in which the court reserves any power under this subtitle is final and subject to appeal in all other respects.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="8-214" title_number="8" title_name="Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “reasonable and necessary expense” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>suit money;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>counsel fees; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>costs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At any point in a proceeding under this subtitle, the court may order either party to pay to the other party an amount for the reasonable and necessary expense of prosecuting or defending the proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before ordering the payment, the court shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the financial resources and financial needs of both parties; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>whether there was substantial justification for prosecuting or defending the proceeding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Upon a finding by the court that there was an absence of substantial justification of a party for prosecuting or defending the proceeding, and absent a finding by the court of good cause to the contrary, the court shall award to the other party the reasonable and necessary expense of prosecuting or defending the proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The court may award reimbursement for any reasonable and necessary expense that has previously been paid.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>As to any amount awarded for counsel fees, the court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>order that the amount awarded be paid directly to the lawyer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>enter judgment in favor of the lawyer.</text> </level> </level> </section>