Maryland Family Law Maryland family law opinions and commentary

CINA — Change in permanency plan — Reunification to adoption by non-relative This appeal arises from an order issued by the Circuit Court for Cecil County, sitting as a juvenile court, that changed the permanency plan for minor siblings, L.J. ...

CINA — Juvenile court jurisdiction — DSS closed case Appellants, L.W. and her mother, Ms. M., appeal from the decision of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, sitting as a juvenile court, ordering the termination of its jurisdiction over ...

CINA — Hearsay — Expert’s opinion J.O. (“Mother”), appellant, appeals from an order entered by the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, sitting as a juvenile court, adjudicating her child (“B.S.”) to be a child in need of assistance (“CINA”) and ...

CINA — Change in permanency plan — Reunification to adoption by non-relative At the conclusion of a permanency plan review hearing on October 22, 2019, the Circuit Court for Cecil County, sitting as a juvenile court, modified the permanency plan ...

CINA — Change in permanency plan — Ineffective assistance of counsel Appellant, the Father of two daughters, Am.E. and Ar.E., appeals from an order, entered September 3, 2019, in the Circuit Court for Frederick County, sitting as a juvenile court, ...

Child support — Calculation — New job This appeal arises out of a divorce proceeding between Lauren Burleigh (“Mother”) and James Burleigh (“Father”). After an eight-day bench trial, the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County awarded joint legal and physical ...

Divorce — Sealed court records — Special and compelling reasons Andrew N. Ucheomumu, appellant, was not originally a party to either of the cases from which he appeals. They involve the same parties and similar issues. Appellant moved to consolidate ...

Child custody — Discovery sanction — Best interests of the child In this appeal from a modification of child custody, we resolve that the best interests of the child standard is the leading consideration for the court in deciding whether ...

CINA — Termination of parental rights — Reasonable reunification efforts This appeal arises from a decision by the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, sitting as a juvenile court, terminating the parental rights of Ms. M. to her son, D.J., and ...

Guardianship — Petition to terminate — Failure to provide transcript In 2018, the Circuit Court for Harford County issued an order appointing the Harford County Department of Aging, appellee, as the guardian of the person and property of Devoted Lady ...