RULE 9-402. ACTION
West's Annotated Code of MarylandMaryland RulesEffective: April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024
Effective: April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024
MD Rules, Rule 9-402
RULE 9-402. ACTION
<Text of Rule 9-402 effective until June 30, 2024. See, also, Rule 9-402 effective July 1, 2024.>
Cross reference: See Rule 2-202 if a parent is a minor or individual under disability.
Committee note: Code, Family Law Article, § 5-1402 (c) provides that a termination of parental rights under that section terminates completely the parent's right to custody of, access to, and visitation with the child. The action therefore is one “involving child custody or child access” for purposes of allowing the court to appoint an attorney for the child pursuant to Rule 9-205.1.
Cross reference: See Code, State Government Article, § 7-301, et seq.
Committee note: Code, Family Law Article, § 5-1403 (c) requires that, when the action is filed by a court-appointed guardian or attorney for the child, the “other parent” shall be joined as “a party” but that the action may not proceed if that “other parent” objects before commencement of “a trial under this subtitle.” If that parent intends to object, his/her status is more akin to that of a respondent seeking dismissal of the action. The term “nominal respondent” is used in subsection (d)(2) of the Rule to distinguish the “other parent” from the respondent parent who is alleged to have committed the nonconsensual sexual conduct.
The choice of joining the other parent as a petitioner or as a nominal respondent may be influenced by whether the guardian or attorney is aware of that parent's position when filing the action. Hopefully, the guardian or attorney will have communicated with the parent before filing the action, but, if not, the Committee has attempted to deal with the problem by requiring the guardian or attorney to give notice to the parent of that right in the petition.
(D) whether any other actions involving the child, or involving the respondent and the other parent, have been filed, and, if so, for each such action, (i) the court in which the action was filed, (ii) the case number, (iii) the relief sought, (iv) whether the action remains pending, and (v) if the action is not pending, the disposition and date of any judgment;
(G) if the petition is filed by a guardian or attorney for the child, a statement advising the parent who was subjected to the nonconsensual act that (i) that parent has a right to object to the action, (ii) any objection must be filed in writing prior to commencement of trial, (iii) if such an objection is timely filed, the action must be dismissed, and (iv) if the parent is indigent and not represented by an attorney and desires the assistance of an attorney, the court will refer the parent to a qualified grantee of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for the assignment of an attorney or appoint an attorney for the parent.
(2) The petition shall include (A) a clear statement of all relief requested, including termination of the respondent's parental rights, and if applicable, the change of name sought for the child, and (B) a notice to the respondent that the court will hold a scheduling conference within 60 days after service of the petition.
Source: This Rule is new.
Credits
[Adopted Dec. 4, 2018, eff. Jan. 1, 2019. Amended Feb. 9, 2022, eff. April 1, 2022.]
MD Rules, Rule 9-402, MD R FAM LAW ACT Rule 9-402
Current with amendments received through February 1, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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