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Towson Divorce Lawyer [ Jurisdiction and Venue

The Circuit Court For Baltimore County Has Jurisdiction Over  Divorce, Child Custody, and Child Support Matters 

  • The Circuit Court for Baltimore County is part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit,
  • Only the Circuit Court can grant an absolute divorce dissolving a marriage under the authority of Md. Code, Courts and  Judicial Proceedings 1-501 et. seq. In Baltimore County, the Honorable Ruth Jakubowski is the Chief Administrative Judge, and The Honorable Colleen Cavenaugh is the chief family law judge. In addition to designated Family Law Magistrates, other Associate Judges are assigned to the family law docket on a rotating basis and will decide limited and absolute divorces for part of their tenure. The Court also has distinguished retired judges serving in Settlement Court. Among the most pre-eminent legal minds in Baltimore County is Judge Fader (a pharmacist), who co-authored a Maryland Family Law treatise with Judge Gilbert.

The District Court for Baltimore County Plays An Ancillary Role 

The District Court for Baltimore County makes quick decisions that have far-reaching consequences regarding family law disputes in Domestic Violence Proceedings. First, however, anyone who wants a divorce must file a lawsuit in the Circuit Court. 

Jurisdiction and Venue 

  • Jurisdiction and venue are correctly established. The Circuit Court ultimately decides these questions. Platform refers to the appropriate forum to hear a case-- for example: should the patient be chosen where mom lives in Bel Air, where dad lives in Bel Air, or where everyone once lived together in Baltimore County. 

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)

  • When the parties seeking child custody, usually the parents, live in different states, multiple state courts must simultaneously apply the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act. However, child support is not evaluated in the same way as custody for purposes of jurisdiction and enforcement. 
  • If a child has relocated, there may be a dispute regarding whether the departure from the minor child's home state was a temporary absence or something more than a brief absence. 
  • Courts from different counties, states, and even countries often communicate with one another, judge to judge, and on the record, to resolve jurisdiction disputes. 

Maryland Judicial Circuits  

District 1 - Baltimore City

District 2 - Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties

District 3 - Caroline, Talbot, Queen Anne's, Kent & Caroline Counties 

District 4 - Charles, St. Mary's & Calvert Counties 

District 5 - Prince George's County 

District 6 - Montgomery County 

District 7 - Anne Arundel County 

District 8 - Baltimore County 

District 9 - Harford County 

District 10 - Howard & Carroll Counties

District 11 - Frederick & Washington Counties 

District 12 - Allegheny and Garrett Counties   

 

Please Call (410) 321-4994 during business hours to schedule a free consultation to decide whether you want to retain Amar S. Weisman. The firm does not accept pro bono clients at this time. To have legal services and advice, you must pay a retainer, See Policy on Fees/Costs. The law firm is located in the heart of Towson near The Circuit Court For Baltimore County, Towson Town Center, Goucher College, and Towson University, at 1018 Dulaney Valley Road (MD-146), Second Floor Towson, MD 21204We represent clients throughout the Baltimore area, including Aberdeen, Abingdon, Baldwin, Bel Air, Bowleys Quarters, Brooklandville, Carney, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Edgewood, Essex, Garrison, Glen Arm, Greenspring Valley, Homeland, Hunt Valley, Hydes, the Joppa Road Corridor, Kingsville, Long Green, Lutherville, Middle River, Nottingham, Owings Mills, Parkville, Pikesville, Perry Hall, Reisterstown, Riderwood, Rodgers Forge, Rosedale, Ruxton, Sparks, Sparrows Point, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Towson, West Towson, White Hall, White Marsh, and the York Road corridor. We have also represented several out-of-state clients. The law firm does not guarantee the results in any matter.