Not all divorces in Maryland are permanent in nature. Clients may seek a limited divorce that does not terminate the marriage but provides for a judicially decreed legal separation. When a limited divorce is granted, marital assets will not be subjected to the property distribution process. nnHowever, a court may determine that alimony is appropriate for one spouse during this legal separation. Many divorcing clients will initially file for limited divorce to determine alimony obligations, then amend their filings later to seek an absolute divorce. Other clients may file for limited divorce for religious reasons. When clients would like to file for a limited divorce, they will need to present grounds just as they would for an absolute divorce.nnNotice that the grounds for limited divorce are different from those for absolute divorce. The following limited options should be chosen carefully. If the allegations are severe, clients should consider absolute divorce. The grounds for obtaining a limited divorce in Maryland include the following:nnCruelty of Treatment: Cruel treatment of a spouse or children of a spouse.nDesertion: A spouse may file for a limited divorce on the grounds of desertion as soon as the desertion occurs. Unlike filing for an absolute divorce, the deserted spouse does not have to wait a specific period before filing the divorce petition.nExcessively Vicious Conduct: Vicious conduct is directed toward either the complaining spouse or the complaining spouse’s minor children.nVoluntary Separation: Spouses who live separately without cohabitation may file for a limited divorce on the grounds of voluntary separation when there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation.