![]() These include juvenile and other family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support. Circuit Courts generally handle more serious criminal cases and major civil cases. Transcripts / Previously Recorded Courtroom AudioĬircuit Courts are where jury trials are held. ![]() ![]() Be sure to file all forms with the Family Department. Custody FormsĬhild custody and visitation forms are available at the Circuit Court Family Department or the Maryland Judiciary website. $165.00 cash, money order, or check (payable to the "Clerk of Court"). Watch a 4-part series on the child custody process. The Court may also order the services of a Parenting Coordinator to reduce the effects or potential effects of conflict on the child. The issue of child custody is often contested in other words, the parents do not agree on the terms of where their children live and how the important decisions about their children’s lives and education, etc., should be made. If the served parent files an Answer, the case will then proceed to a child custody hearing. If he/she fails to file the Answer within the time period specified on the Summons, the Court assumes that he/she agrees to its terms. The Answer indicates how the served individual would prefer to deal with the Complaint for child custody and visitation. Next, the served parent must file an Answer to the Complaint. Once you, as a parent, have considered all the topics involving family cases, and you or your attorney has taken steps to file a family case, the other parent must be served with a copy of the paperwork filed in the Court and a Writ of Summons. If the parents are unmarried, either the mother or the father must file an action to establish the parental relationship or file a Petition for custody and support of minor children. ![]() Visit the Child Custody Access & Mediation page to learn more about how parents can create their own custody plan on behalf of their children.Īge of consent in child custody cases is 18, but a minor can file a petition to modify their custody situation at age 16.ĭownload the Supervised Visitation Brochure (PDF)īasic Steps in Child Custody & Visitation Casesīefore parents can address the issues of custody and visitation of their minor children, either the mother or father from a married couple must first file a Complaint requesting a divorce or file a Petition for custody/visitation and support of minor children's action. Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time (PDF) Maryland Parenting Plan Instructions (PDF) Please use the following PDF documents listed for help with developing a parenting plan and for filing the Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time. If the Court must decide custody, the judge will determine what is in the best interest of the children. If parents choose to settle the case, they can make any custodial arrangement that is in the best interest of the children. However, if the Court awards parents joint custody, they have to work together to make decisions for their child. If the Court awards a parent sole legal custody, that parent alone can make major decisions for the child. Transcripts / Previously Recorded Courtroom AudioĬhild Custody refers to the legal arrangements about who a child will live on a regular basis (residential custody) and how major decisions about the child will be made (legal custody).
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