Family Law (GFL) — Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. Definitions
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 1-101 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1. Definitions
§ 1–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Child in need of assistance” means an individual adjudicated as a child in need of assistance under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Courts Article.
(c)
“CINA” means a child in need of assistance.
(d)
“CINA case” means a case under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Courts Article.
(e)
“County” means a county of this State and, unless expressly provided otherwise, Baltimore City.
(f)
“Includes” or “including” means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
(g)
“Juvenile court” means the circuit court for a county sitting as a juvenile court.
(h)
“Local department” means:
(1)
a local department of social services; or
(2)
in Montgomery County, the county department of health and human services.
(i)
“Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.
(j)
“Reserve component” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
(k)
“Service member” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
(l)
“State” means, except in Title 10, Subtitle 3 of this article:
(1)
a state, commonwealth, possession, or territory of the United States; or
(2)
the District of Columbia.
(m)
“Summons” includes a subpoena.
(n)
“Support” includes maintenance.
(o)
“Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 1-201 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
For the purposes of subsection (b)(10) of this section, “child” means an unmarried individual under the age of 21 years.
(b)
An equity court has jurisdiction over:
(1)
adoption of a child, except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;
(2)
alimony;
(3)
annulment of a marriage;
(4)
divorce;
(5)
custody or guardianship of a child except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;
(6)
visitation of a child;
(7)
legitimation of a child;
(8)
paternity;
(9)
support of a child;
(10)
custody or guardianship of an immigrant child pursuant to a motion for Special Immigrant Juvenile factual findings requesting a determination that the child was abused, neglected, or abandoned before the age of 18 years for purposes of § 101(a)(27)(J) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act; and
(11)
a petition for authorization for a minor to marry.
(c)
In exercising its jurisdiction over the custody, guardianship, visitation, or support of a child, an equity court may:
(1)
direct who shall have the custody or guardianship of a child, pendente lite or permanently;
(2)
determine who shall have visitation rights to a child;
(3)
decide who shall be charged with the support of the child, pendente lite or permanently;
(4)
from time to time, set aside or modify its decree or order concerning the child; or
(5)
issue an injunction to protect a party to the action from physical harm or harassment.
(d)
This section does not take away or impair the jurisdiction of a juvenile court or a criminal court with respect to the custody, guardianship, visitation, and support of a child.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 1-202 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In an action in which custody, visitation rights, or the amount of support of a minor child is contested, the court may:
(1)
(i)
appoint a lawyer who shall serve as a child advocate attorney to represent the minor child and who may not represent any party to the action; or
(ii)
appoint a lawyer who shall serve as a best interest attorney to represent the minor child and who may not represent any party to the action; and
(2)
impose counsel fees against one or more parties to the action.
(b)
A lawyer appointed under this section shall exercise ordinary care and diligence in the representation of a minor child.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 1-203 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In an action for alimony, annulment, or divorce, an equity court:
(1)
has all the powers of a court of equity; and
(2)
may issue an injunction to protect any party to the action from physical harm or harassment.
(b)
Unless the court expressly provides otherwise, the filing of an action for an annulment, a limited divorce, or an absolute divorce does not constitute lis pendens with respect to any property of a party.
(c)
In an action for alimony, annulment, or divorce, a final decree may not be entered except on oral testimony by the plaintiff in a hearing before an examiner or a magistrate or in open court.
(d)
An equity court shall hear and determine a case for alimony in as full and ample a manner as a case for alimony could be heard and determined by the Ecclesiastical Courts of England.