The Circuit Courts of Maryland Family Divisions & Family Services Programs

      In 1998, the Maryland Judiciary, with generous fiscal support from the Maryland General Assembly, established family divisions in each of its five largest jurisdictions. These were established in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County. The family divisions have jurisdiction over all civil, i.e., non-criminal matters related to the family: divorce, custody, child support, visitation, domestic violence, paternity, adoption, guardianship, involuntary commitments, CINA/CINS and juvenile delinquency. Those counties without separate family divisions were provided with a family support services coordinator and a budget for services to families involved in the judicial system. Each jurisdiction, regardless of size, has followed the mandate of Maryland Rule 16-204 to establish a spectrum of services and to reorient its case management processes to ensure the comprehensive and holistic treatment of families.

      The adversarial process can be destructive for families. Family cases therefore require a different approach. That approach mandates that family cases be expedited to minimize the trauma of litigation and to ensure safety and support for all family members. Families are given every opportunity to make ultimate decisions themselves - through educational programs and alternative dispute resolution techniques. Finally judges are trained to understand child development, the needs of the individual within the family, and the importance of family issues. The courts also have begun to recognize that, because they function in many instances as a "trauma center," serving families in crisis, they are in a unique position to identify problems and connect those families with much-needed services. The goal of the family divisions and family service programs within the circuit courts is to provide an effective approach to the early resolution of family conflict.

      Toward that end, Maryland's circuit courts have developed special case management procedures for family law cases. In those circuit courts with a family division, they have dedicated Judges to hear family cases full-time. In addition, each circuit court now provides a spectrum of services for families. Some of these services are provided by the court directly; others are operated for the court by contractual providers. Still other programs are made available to litigants through private providers.

      In every jurisdiction, Maryland's circuit courts have begun to recognize that they are a partner in a network of community resources serving families in transition.

Questions or comments may be sent to Anne Turner