Family Court - Howard County

Filing Requirements    Orders

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

Scheduling
You must request a hearing. To request a hearing fill out a master's hearing request form.

Settlement Conferences
The Court holds settlement conferences when both parties are pro se and when one party is represented by counsel.

Length of Time to Get a Hearing
Pre-trial conferences are usually scheduled within 45 days.

Emergency Hearings
In order to request an emergency hearing, get a lawyer. If you have been abused, file under the Domestic Violence statute. If not, use the regular form and write "Emergency" across the top. It is not possible to see a judge the same day you file your request, but you may see a master ex parte.

Who Will Hear The Case
Masters hear pendente lite, uncontested, modification, CINA, and juvenile cases. In order to be heard by a judge in these types of cases, you must specifically request one.

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: 10/3/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)