mommamea said:
What is the name of your state?Maryland
Can anyone tell me exactly what happens in a Scheduling Conference for Child Custody Modification?
Scheduling Conferences are held before a judge or master. Scheduling Conferences are set in at 15-minute intervals, two days per week. Both parties will be required to be present with counsel unless otherwise excused by the Court. Postponements will be freely granted for scheduling conferences, but the Conference shall occur within 30 days unless the parties object in writing. NB: Md. Rule 2-504.1 provides that the Scheduling Conference shall not be earlier than 30 days after the order scheduling it, unless the parties agree otherwise. At the Scheduling Conference, the Master will attempt to assist the parties in reaching an agreement on all contested matters. If an agreement can be reached, the Master will place the agreement on the record and issue a final Order in the case. If it is clear that there remain contested issues, the Master will identify those issues and complete a Scheduling Order setting in discovery and filing deadlines and scheduling a Pre-trial Conference.
The Master will also identify and order any preliminary orders required in the matter. Preliminary orders include the following:
• order to attend parenting seminar
• order for custody/visitation mediation
• order for property a.d.r.
• other alternative dispute resolution orders
• orders appointing counsel for a minor child or party
• order for social work investigation
• order for psychological evaluation(s)
• order for pendente lite hearing
• order for substance abuse assessment
• order for monitored transfer and/or supervised visitation
• order for referral to Domestic Relations Division
• any other investigations or orders the Master feels may be necessary to expedite the case
