Maryland's highest court is scheduled to hear a case that could set a statewide precedent for same-sex divorce even before a marriage equality law takes effect. 

The Baltimore Sun reports Maryland's Court of Appeals will hear the case next month of Jessica Port and Virginia Anne Cowan. The women were married in a California courthouse in 2008 when same-sex marriage was legal and returned home to Washington. 

Two years later, Port filed for divorce in Maryland where she bought a home. A Prince George's County judge denied the divorce petition saying the women's marriage wasn't valid. 

A few other same-sex divorces have been granted in Maryland. Judges in Baltimore and Prince George's and Calvert counties have granted divorces. 

A ruling by Maryland's highest court could set a statewide standard.