Law Office of John S. Weaver Rockville, Maryland Family Law Attorney and Mediator Serving MontgomeryCounty, FrederickCounty, Howard County, and Carroll County
Court-Ordered Child Custody Mediation
The Circuit Courts in Maryland provide mediation services for parents experiencing disagreements over child custody. The professional mediators employed by the Court, or private providers certified to provide child custody/visitation services, assist the parents in making parenting plan arrangements. In Montgomery County the mediators are employed by the Circuit Court, and the mediation services are free to the parties. In Frederick County the parties are referred to private providers, and the fee for the services is $100 per party per session, with waivers available for qualifying low income parties. The cases are screened for appropriateness for mediation, and pursuant to Maryland Rule 9-205 child custody mediation is not ordered in cases where it would be inappropriate as a result of physical or sexual abuse of the party or child.
At the Scheduling Conference before a Family Division Master in Montgomery County, the parties are assigned convenient dates for their two two-hour custody mediation sessions. A Mediation Court Order is entered setting forth the scheduled dates and requiring the parties to make a good faith effort to resolve their dispute concerning their children.
A description of the Parenting Mediation Program provides some important and helpful information. The parties go through a brief intake and screening at Family Division Services Office.
If the parties reach agreement, the Mediator prepares a Parenting Agreement to be submitted to the Court for approval and incorporation in a Court Order.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. You should contact an attorney to discuss your particular legal situation.
Law Office of John S. Weaver 51 Monroe Street, Suite 701, Rockville, MD 20850 PHONE: (301) 424-7207; FAX: 1-301-368-2477