title: "Maryland Child Custody - Complete LSC Packet with Forms"

state: "MD"

category: "Child Custody"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$67"

lsc_grade: true

version: "COMPLETE_WITH_FORMS"

Maryland Child Custody Packet

Templates for informational purposes only. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

• [ ] You are a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in place of a parent
• [ ] The child lives in Maryland or has lived in Maryland within the last 6 months
• [ ] You want to establish, modify, or enforce a custody order
• [ ] You are NOT involved in a CINA (Child in Need of Assistance) case
• [ ] Maryland is the child's "home state" — child lived here with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months before filing
• [ ] No other state currently has jurisdiction, OR Maryland has the most significant connections
• [ ] You are NOT seeking to terminate parental rights
• [ ] The child has NOT been removed by the Department of Social Services (DSS)
• [ ] There is NO active CINA case in Juvenile Court
• [ ] Another state has NOT already entered a custody order (unless MD now has jurisdiction)

FORM 1: COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Type or print neatly in black ink. Replace bracketed text [LIKE THIS] with your information. Get official forms at mdcourts.gov/family.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR [COUNTY NAME], MARYLAND

SITTING AS A COURT OF EQUITY

________________________________________________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME],

Plaintiff,

v.

[OTHER PARENT'S FULL NAME],

Defendant.

Case No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY

________________________________________________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE COURT:

The Plaintiff, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], by and through undersigned counsel

(or proceeding pro se), files this Complaint for Custody and states as follows:

I. PARTIES

1. Plaintiff, [YOUR FULL NAME], is an adult resident of [COUNTY] County,

Maryland, residing at [YOUR STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], MD [ZIP CODE].

1. Defendant, [OTHER PARENT'S NAME], is an adult residing at [OTHER

PARENT'S ADDRESS], [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP CODE].

II. CHILDREN

1. Plaintiff and Defendant are the parents of the following minor child(ren):

1. The child(ren) has/have resided in Maryland for the past 6 months and

no other custody proceeding is pending in any other court.

III. JURISDICTION

1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and parties pursuant

to Maryland Family Law Article § 5-203 and § 9-201 et seq. (UCCJEA).

1. Venue is proper in this Court because [Plaintiff resides here / the

child resides here / Defendant resides here].

IV. MARITAL STATUS

1. Plaintiff and Defendant [ARE / ARE NOT] married.

[If married:] The parties were married on [MARRIAGE DATE] in

[LOCATION]. [Divorce is / is not] pending.

[If not married:] The parties were never married to each other.

Paternity [HAS / HAS NOT] been established. [If established:]

Paternity was established by [VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT / COURT ORDER /

GENETIC TESTING] on [DATE].

V. CURRENT CUSTODY SITUATION

1. There is [no existing custody order / an existing custody order from

this Court dated DATE / an existing custody order from another

jurisdiction].

1. The child(ren) currently reside(s) with [NAME] at [ADDRESS].

1. [Describe any prior custody arrangements, informal or formal]

VI. REQUEST FOR CUSTODY

1. Plaintiff requests that this Court enter an Order establishing custody

as follows:

A. PHYSICAL CUSTODY:

[ ] Sole physical custody to Plaintiff

[ ] Sole physical custody to Defendant

[ ] Shared physical custody between the parties

B. LEGAL CUSTODY:

[ ] Sole legal custody to Plaintiff

[ ] Sole legal custody to Defendant

[ ] Joint legal custody to both parties

C. VISITATION/PARENTING TIME:

[ ] Reasonable visitation to the non-custodial parent

[ ] Specific schedule as follows:

[ ] Every other weekend (Friday [TIME] to Sunday [TIME])

[ ] One weeknight per week: [DAY] from [TIME] to [TIME]

[ ] Holidays: [DESCRIBE SCHEDULE]

[ ] Summer vacation: [DESCRIBE]

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

VII. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD

1. The custody arrangement requested is in the best interests of the

child(ren) because:

[ ] Plaintiff has been the primary caregiver

[ ] Plaintiff provides a stable home environment

[ ] Plaintiff encourages a relationship with Defendant

[ ] The child(ren) have strong bonds with Plaintiff

[ ] The child(ren) are doing well in their current school

[ ] There is no history of abuse or neglect

[ ] Other: [EXPLAIN]

VIII. PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

1. [Describe any prior court proceedings involving the children,

including protective orders, CINA cases, or prior custody cases]

IX. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:

A. Award custody of the minor child(ren) as set forth herein;

B. Establish a visitation/parenting time schedule;

C. Order such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.

________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY], MD [ZIP CODE]

[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

________________________________________________________________________________

VERIFICATION

I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the matters set forth in

the foregoing Complaint are true to the best of my knowledge, information,

and belief.

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 2: FINANCIAL STATEMENT — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form to help the court determine child support. Required in most custody cases.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR [COUNTY], MARYLAND

________________________________________________________________________________

[PLAINTIFF NAME]

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME]

Case No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

________________________________________________________________________________

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], provide the following financial information:

I. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Employer Name: _______________________________

Address: _______________________________

Position: _______________________________

How long employed: ______ years ______ months

Gross Monthly Income:

Base salary/wages: $__________

Overtime: $__________

Commissions/bonuses: $__________

Other income: $__________

TOTAL GROSS MONTHLY INCOME: $__________

II. MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS

Federal income tax: $__________

State income tax: $__________

FICA (Social Security): $__________

Medicare: $__________

Health insurance (for yourself): $__________

Mandatory retirement: $__________

Other: $__________

TOTAL DEDUCTIONS: $__________

NET MONTHLY INCOME: $__________

III. MONTHLY EXPENSES

Rent/mortgage: $__________

Utilities: $__________

Food: $__________

Transportation: $__________

Health insurance (for child[ren]): $__________

Childcare: $__________

Clothing: $__________

Other: $__________

TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES: $__________

IV. ASSETS

Checking accounts: $__________

Savings accounts: $__________

Vehicles (make/model/year): _______________________________ Value: $__________

Real estate: _______________________________ Value: $__________

Other assets: _______________________________ Value: $__________

V. DEBTS

Credit cards: $__________

Student loans: $__________

Car loans: $__________

Other debts: $__________

I certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of

my knowledge.

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 3: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form after serving the other parent with your court papers.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR [COUNTY], MARYLAND

________________________________________________________________________________

[PLAINTIFF NAME]

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME]

Case No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

________________________________________________________________________________

I hereby certify that on this _____ day of _______________, 20___, I

served a copy of the following document(s):

[ ] Complaint for Custody

[ ] Financial Statement

[ ] Proposed Parenting Plan

[ ] Other: _______________________________

upon:

[DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME]

[DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE ZIP]

by the following method(s):

[ ] First-class mail, postage prepaid

[ ] Hand delivery

[ ] Certified mail, Return Receipt Requested

[ ] Private process server

[ ] Sheriff's service

________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

FILING STEPS

1. Complete FORM 1 (Complaint for Custody) and FORM 2 (Financial Statement).
2. Prepare a Proposed Parenting Plan (strongly recommended).
3. Make 3 copies of all documents (original + 2 copies).
4. Go to the Circuit Court in the county where the child lives.
5. File with the Clerk's Office and pay the filing fee (~$165 in most counties).
6. If you cannot afford the fee, ask for a Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs.
7. Get your filed copies back — note your Case Number.
8. Arrange for service on the other parent (you cannot serve papers yourself).
9. Service options: Sheriff ($25–50), private process server ($50–150), friend/family 18+ (free), or certified mail (~$10).
10. After service, complete and file FORM 3 (Certificate of Service).
11. Check whether your county requires parenting education (~$50–75, 3–6 hours).
12. Attend court-ordered mediation if required — free or low-cost through court programs.
13. If mediation fails, proceed to a custody hearing.
14. Arrive 30 minutes early to your hearing; bring all filed documents.
15. Keep a certified copy of the final custody order.

COURT INFORMATION

FILING CHECKLIST

Before Going to Court

• [ ] Completed Complaint for Custody (FORM 1)
• [ ] Completed Financial Statement (FORM 2)
• [ ] Proposed Parenting Plan
• [ ] Filing fee (~$165) OR completed Fee Waiver Request
• [ ] Photo ID
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents

For Service

• [ ] Filed copy of Complaint
• [ ] Summons (if required by your county)
• [ ] Server identified (not you)
• [ ] Certificate of Service forms

For Court Hearing

• [ ] All filed documents
• [ ] Proof of service (filed Certificate of Service)
• [ ] Proposed Parenting Plan (2 copies)
• [ ] Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
• [ ] School records
• [ ] Medical records (if relevant)
• [ ] Any text messages/emails showing communication with other parent
• [ ] Names and contact info of any witnesses
• [ ] Notebook for taking notes

STATUTE REFERENCES

DISCLAIMER

IMPORTANT: This packet provides general information for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.

• Jurist-Diction is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
• These forms may not be appropriate for your specific situation.
• Laws change frequently. Verify current law before filing.
• Court procedures vary by county. Contact your local Circuit Court for specific requirements.
• For legal advice, contact a licensed Maryland attorney or legal aid organization.

Need help? Find free legal aid at mdlab.org or call 1-800-999-8904.