John S. Weaver, Esquire
Of Counsel, Z Family Law, LLC
Rockville, Maryland Family Law Attorney and Mediator
Serving Montgomery County and Frederick County
Court-Ordered Child Custody Mediation
The Circuit Courts in Maryland provide mediation services for parents
experiencing disagreements over child custody. The private mediators certified to provide child custody/visitation services, assist the parents in making parenting plan arrangements. In Montgomery County the court-ordered child custody 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 Magistrate in Montgomery County,
the parties are assigned a convenient date for their single three-hour custody mediation
sessions. A Court Order is entered setting forth the scheduled date and requiring the parties
to make a good faith effort to resolve their dispute concerning their children.
The parties go through a brief intake and screening at Family Services Office.
If the parties reach agreement, the Mediator prepares a Parenting Agreement or Consent Order to be submitted to the Court for approval and incorporation in a Court Order.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court website has up-to-date information
concerning the Child Custody and Access Mediation Program:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/circuitcourt/
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