Maryland Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources

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Custody in Maryland is decided in the Circuit Court. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official Maryland documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official Maryland custody resources

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Maryland family law forms (official index) (Maryland judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Maryland family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mdcourts.gov/family/forms

Maryland court self-help resources (Maryland courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Maryland family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mdcourts.gov/selfhelp

Maryland mediation and dispute resolution (Maryland judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Maryland family case without a trial. https://www.mdcourts.gov/macro

Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): MDEC e-filing works in every Maryland county. If you do not have a lawyer you can choose to e-file or keep filing on paper, whichever is easier for you. https://efilemd.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/

Maryland rules of procedure (Maryland judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Maryland. https://www.mdcourts.gov/rules

Verified official Maryland custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Complaint for Custody (CC-DR-004), form CC-DR-004 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr004.pdf

Maryland Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109), form CC-DR-109 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccdr109.pdf

Official link data for Maryland was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Maryland?

Family cases in Maryland are heard in the Circuit Court. Contested divorce and custody are heard in the Circuit Court (the District Court does not handle divorce). Maryland has one Circuit Court per county (and Baltimore City) - 24 in all.

Does Maryland favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official Maryland forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official Maryland mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.