§ 1-201

Maryland § 1-201

• Jurisdiction: Maryland
• Article gfl: Family Law
• Title: 1

Text

(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.