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DIRECTIONS FOR
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY/VISITATION
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
1. Complete the following
forms:
Civil - Domestic Case Information (DCI) Report
Complaint for Custody/Visitation
Financial Statement (unless you already have a child support
order)
***If you are requesting a waiver of prepayment of fees:
Complete: Motion for Waiver of Prepayment of Fees
Financial Statement
File at the Clerk's Office(Room 105 across from the secure
entrance) on the first floor along with your other papers. You
can call the clerk in five days to see if this motion has been
granted. If not, you must come in and pay the filing fee before
your case will go any further.
2. Make 2 copies of DCI Report,
Complaint, Financial Statement (Motion for Waiver).
3. FILE the original of the above
forms at the Clerk's office (Room 105) on the first floor.
(DCI Report, Complaint, Financial Statement, Motion for Waiver)
A FILING FEE IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME or be sure to call
back to see if your Motion for Waiver has been granted.
*** If you plan to serve the other party out of state, ask the
clerk for a summons for 60 days. If you plan to serve the other
party out of the country, ask the clerk for a 90 day summons.
4. The court will issue a Writ of
Summons which will be sent to your home in 5 - 10 days. You should receive 3 copies of
this form; if you do not, then make 3 copies.
5. SERVICE: It is very
important that you do service correctly. If you do not, then the
court may dismiss your case.
**** IF YOU HAVE AN UNCONTESTED CASE, THE OTHER PARENT MAY
GIVE YOU A NOTARIZED ANSWER TO FILE AT THE SAME TIME THAT YOU
FILE THIS PETITION AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO DO SERVICE.****
PUT TOGETHER
YOUR SERVICE PACKAGE.
Attach the original copy of the summons to one copy of all
of the forms that you filed with the court. (Summons, DCI Report,
Petition, Financial Statement)
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS
Certified Mail, Restricted Delivery, Return Receipt Requested.
Any adult over the age of 18, NOT YOU, may take the service
package to the post office to mail it as above. Then that person
must fill out an Affidavit of Service (Certified Mail). Once the
post office has returned the green card, check the signature. If
the signature is correct, attach the green card and a copy of the
summons to the Affidavit of Service and FILE it at the Clerk's
office.
Sheriff. The Sheriff's office will deliver the service
package and complete the Affidavit for a fee somewhere around $30
or $40.
Private Process by a Process Server. You can check in your
phone book or with any local attorney to find a process server.
For a fee this person will deliver the service package for you.
You must get them to complete an Affidavit of Service (Private
Process). Then, FILE the Affidavit with a copy of the summons
attached at the Clerk's office.
Private Process by a Friend. Any adult over the age of 18,
NOT YOU, may hand deliver the service package to the opposing
party. They may not leave the package on their
doorstep, with a roommate or with a relative. The service
package must be put in their hand. Then that person will
complete an Affidavit of Service (Private Process). You must FILE
the Affidavit of Service along with a copy of the summons at the
Clerk's office.
6. ANSWERING: The other party has time to
answer, as stated on the summons. If they do not answer in the
correct amount of time, you may come back to ask for the Request
for Order of Default form. You must have done service
correctly before this Order will be granted.
7. REMEMBER:
When you come to court you should have:
Completed Child Support Guidelines
Worksheet
A copy of any previous child support order
Your last 3 pay stubs
Your last 2 tax returns
Any witnesses that you think may help the court to see why this
is in the best for your child(ren).
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