1. Did the circuit court abuse its discretion in concluding that the best interest of the child would not be served by granting the petition to change her surname? 2. Did the circuit court err in not seeking the child’s testimony when the mother’s offer to make the child available to the court was made after the hearing had concluded?

Less than three months after finding a judge erred in appointing a guardian for two children while their mother was alive and in possession of her parental rights, the Court of Special Appeals has decided to report its decision, giving it value as precedent.

In a case of first impression in Maryland, the Court of Special Appeals has affirmed a judge who found that exceptional circumstances justified the termination of a mother’s parental rights, without also deciding whether she was an unfit parent.

The parents’ right to control who visits their children applies even to the children’s siblings, whether they are “full, half or CINA,” a divided Maryland high court has held.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Parental consent CSA No. 1545, Sept. Term 2013. Unreported. Opinion by Matricciani, J. Filed Feb. 12, 2014. Appeal from Worcester County. Affirmed.

Although increasing numbers of states are legalizing same-sex marriage, the majority of states still do not have laws that permit same-sex marriage to take place within their state. The result is that any given same-sex marriage will be treated inconsistently on a national level.

Local Departments of Social Services must be allowed to waive their obligations to provide reunification services to people who involuntarily lost their parental rights over other children, the Court of Special Appeals has held.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: History of unfitness CSA No. 1050, Sept. Term 2013. Unreported. Opinion by Eyler, D., J. Filed Jan. 31, 2014. Appeal from Baltimore City. Affirmed.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Lack of paternity CSA No. 1044, Sept. Term 2013. Unreported. Opinion by Davis, Arrie W. (Retired, Specially Assigned). Filed Jan. 24, 2014. Appeal from Harford County. Affirmed.

Adoption/Guardianship: termination of parental rights: effect of prior holding CSA no. 2570, Sept. Term 2012. Unreported. Opinion by Woodward, J. Filed Dec. 5, 2013. Appeal from Montgomery County. Affirmed.