Family Court - Talbot County

Filing Requirements    Orders

Hearings
Scheduling     Settlement Conferences 
Length of Wait Before Hearing
Emergency Hearings     Who Will Hear the Case

Scheduling
You must always request a hearing. They are not scheduled automatically.

To request a hearing, you must file a "Request for hearing or proceeding" form.

Settlement Conferences
The Court holds settlement conferences when one or both parties are pro se.

Length of Time to Get a Hearing
It usually takes six weeks to go before a master or 2-3 months to go before a judge.

Emergency Hearings - Pro Se Litigants
File the "Request for a hearing or proceeding" form and check the box labeled "Emergency." It is possible to see a judge the same day the request for the emergency hearing is filed.

Who Will Hear The Case
Masters hear uncontested matters and ex parte domestic violence issues. Uncontested issues will go to a master unless the parties request a judge. You may request a judge at the scheduling conference.


Source: A joint project of the Women's Law Center and MLAN, along with interviews conducted with Family Law Court Coordinators, court clerks and local advocates practicing in this county.  Updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).


Date of Last Review: 10/1/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)