| 1F1J |
One Family, One Judge, Case assignment pertaining to family cases, implemented in 2016, that allows for the same case to be managed by the same judge through the life of the case. |
| Absolute Divorce |
See Maryland Code, Family Law, Title 7. Divorce, § 7-103 (Absolute Divorce). |
| Access |
Visitation |
| Affidavit |
A written statement made under oath |
| Annual Fiduciary Report |
Includes information about the disabled person’s or minor’s assets (calculated as the value of the assets at the beginning and end of the guardianship year), the income received, disbursements made, and changes in the values of the non-cash assets that occurred during the guardianship year |
| Annual Report |
Includes information about living arrangements, physical and mental condition, and plans for future care of the disabled person or a minor |
| ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution |
The opportunity for litigants to participate in mediation, which is a form of ADR in which a mediator assists parties in reaching a resolution prior to trial. Mediation can be ordered at any time during the pendency of any civil case, including family cases. |
| Annulment |
A court's decision that a marriage is void; it never legally existed. Annulment is available only under certain limited circumstances. |
| Answer |
A document filed after service and in response to the complaint, petition, or motion |
| AO – Assignment Office |
Department responsible for scheduling all events |
| Best Interest Attorney |
An attorney for the child, appointed by the court, whose function is to inform the court as to the best interests of the child. Formerly known as guardian ad litem. |
| Bifurcate |
Sever into two parts. In family cases custody issues are separated from property, monetary, and divorce issues. Custody issues are heard and resolved first in a separate hearing. |
| Child Support Guidelines |
See Maryland Code, Family Law, Title 12. Child Support, Subtitle 2 - Child Support Guidelines, § 12-201 (Definitions) through § 12-204 (Calculation of Support). |
| CINA |
Child in Need of Assistance |
| Complaint |
The initial pleading that starts the case. |
| Contempt |
Failure to follow a court order. One side can request that the court determine that the other side is in contempt and punish him or her. |
| Corroborative Witness |
A person who testifies for you and backs up your story (for example, if you are asking the court to grant a divorce, you must bring to the hearing a witness who can corroborate your grounds for divorce). |
| Custody |
Refers to the legal arrangements regarding with whom a child will live and how decisions about the child will be made. Custody has two parts: legal and physical. |
| Custody - Legal |
Refers to how parents will make decisions about the child. If a parent is awarded sole legal custody it means that he/she alone can make major decisions for the child including, for example, medical/dental and educational decisions. |
| Custody - Physical |
Parent with whom the child lives |
| DCM – Differentiated Case Management |
Way of managing the Court's caseload. Each case is assigned to the appropriate case track that allows for the performance of pretrial tasks and allocates the appropriate level of judicial and other system resources, minimizing processing delays. |
| Default |
A party's failure to answer a complaint, motion, or petition |
| Defendant |
The person the case is brought against |
| Disabled person |
Person other than a minor who has been judged by the Court to be unable to manage his/her property and/or unable to provide for his/her daily needs |
| Discovery |
A way for getting information from the other side or other people. Discovery methods include interrogatories (written questions that one side gives the other side to complete) and depositions (a question and answer session conducted in person and recorded). |
| Dissolution |
The legal end of a marriage |
| Evidence |
Testimony of witnesses and documents that are presented to the court and considered by the court in making a decision |
| Family Law |
General term for the various actions related to marital relationships and relationships between parents and children |
| Fiduciary |
Someone who can be trusted to act in the best interest of the disabled person |
| Filing |
Giving the Clerk of Court your legal papers |
| Grounds for Divorce |
The legal basis for a divorce. The law sets out specific circumstances under which a divorce will be granted. Before the court will grant a divorce, the person seeking the divorce must prove that those conditions exist. |
| Inventory and Information Report |
Requests information about the disabled person’s or minor’s assets, such as real estate property, cash and cash equivalents, stocks, bonds, and personal property. |
| Judgment |
A court's decision |
| Magistrate |
Hears cases like a judge. A magistrate's decision is reviewed by a judge before becoming final. |
| Marital Property |
See Maryland Code, Family Law, Title 8. Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment, Subtitle 2 - Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce, § 8-201(e) (Definitions - Marital Property) and § 8-203 (Determination of Marital Property) through § 8-205 (Monetary Award). |
| Mediation |
A process where parties meet with a neutral third person and try to resolve issues in their cases. |
| Merits Hearing (Trial) |
The final resolution of a case, heard by a Judge or Magistrate, depending on the complexity and length of the case |
| Minor |
Person who has not reached the age of 18 with the exception of minors who are placed under guardianship for the special immigration purpose; in which case age of majority will be 21 instead of 18 |
| Motion |
A request to the court. Motions can be oral (in court) or written. |
| Pendente Lite Hearing |
Brief hearings held on requests for temporary relief before a case has gone to trial. Some issues covered in these hearings include child support, alimony, visitation, attorney and expert fees, and contribution to household expenses. |
| Petition |
A legal paper that starts a case |
| Plaintiff |
The person who started the case |
| Post Judgment |
All matters heard after the final resolution of a case (merits). This includes any requests to modify prior orders concerning child support, visitation, custody, alimony, etc. |
| Pro se/Proper Person (also called Self-Represented) |
Person who represents him/herself in court without an attorney |
| Reconciliation |
Married people getting back together |
| Resident Agent |
Person who resides in Maryland on whom service of process may be made in the same manner and with the effect as if it were served personally in Maryland on the nonresident guardian |
| Respondent |
Term used for the child in a juvenile proceeding |
| Rule 2-507 |
Maryland Rule governing dismissal for lack of jurisdiction or prosecution. |
| Scheduling Hearing |
Initial hearing held after all opposing parties have been served. The purpose of this hearing is to determine contested issues, order services, set dates for the case, and determine the proper track for the case. |
| Service |
Providing copies of papers being filed with the court to the other side. |
| Settlement/Pre-Trial Hearing |
Hearing where the Family Division Magistrate attempts to settle or narrow the issues to be heard at the Custody Merits Hearing (Trial) covering property monetary and divorce issues |
| Settlement/Status Hearing |
Hearing where the Family Division Magistrate attempts to settle or narrow the issues to be heard at the Custody Merits Hearing (Trial) |
| SIJS |
Special Immigration Juvenile Status |
| Spouse |
Husband or wife |
| Subpoena |
Form issued by the court requiring someone to appear in court and/or bring documents |
| Track |
Numeric category assigned to each case that drives how dates are scheduled and time standards are met |
| TPR |
Termination of Parental Rights |
| Uncontested Divorce |
When the defendant is not going to try to stop the divorce and there are no issues for the court to decide about children, money, or property |
| Use and Possession |
See Maryland Code, Family Law, Title 8. Deeds, Agreements, and Settlements Between Spouses; Property Disposition in Divorce and Annulment, Subtitle 2 - Property Disposition in Annulment and Divorce, § 8-206 (State Policy Regarding Family Home and Family Use Personal Property) through 8-211 (Order, Award, or Decree Not Evidence of Constructive Desertion). |
| Venue |
The county where the case is heard |
| Writ of Summons |
A form issued by the court directing a party to respond to a complaint, motion, or petition |