| FAMILY LAW ADMINISTRATION
General Information
The Family Law Administration is the location of several services available
to assist the Courts, litigants, and attorneys in handling many types
of domestic matters relating to families and children in the Court system.
This Department was created to ensure that court cases are handled in
a way that has a positive effect on the families involved. The services
provided include:
- Referrals to other agencies
- Self-help information, both legal and non-legal, regarding family
issues
- Free limited legal assistance at the Courthouse Family Advice Clinic
- Referrals and information regarding ways to solve conflict (i.e.,
mediation)
- Referrals, information and assistance in domestic violence or emergency
evaluation matters.
- Referrals, information and intake appointments for visitation services.
- Family studies by court order form custody evaluations
- General information regarding the court process
Family Law Personnel
Family Law Administrator - Powel Welliver The
Administrator develops and supervises many programs assisting families
in the court system. The Administrator can often answer questions about
the Court process in a particular case, i.e. the next step to expect,
the status of your case and where you can go to get help. The Administrator
can be reached at 410-386-2401. The Administrator also reviews before
filing emergency requests in domestic cases. The Administrator can be
emailed at pwelliver@ccg.carr.org.
Mediation Coordinator - JoAnne Kreider The
Mediation Coordinator reviews all domestic cases filed and prepares orders
referring litigants to mediation, and/or parent education classes. The
Coordinator also administers the CINA/TPR Mediation Program provided at
no charge to litigants. In addition, The Coordinator assists counsel and
unrepresented parties in finding resources and reaching consent orders
in domestic violence cases. The Coordinator can be reached at 410-386-2736.
The Mediation Coordinator can be emailed at jkreider@ccg.carr.org.
Custody Evaluator - Gloria Bair The Custody Evaluator
acts under a court order to conduct a family study to provide the Court
with additional information needed for a custody/visitation decision.
The Custody Evaluator interviews the parties, their children, and other
knowledgeable people, visits the homes, and then submits a written report
to the court with recommendations. This service is provided without any
cost to the parties. The Custody Evaluator can be reached at 410-386-2402
or emailed at gbair@ccg.carr.org.
Visitation Services Coordinator - Deborah Palmisano The VS Coordinator administers the Carroll County Visitation
Center. With a court order or written agreement and after formal individual
interviews with The Coordinator, the parties use The Center for supervised
visitations or for monitored exchanges of the children for visitation
elsewhere. There is a minimal cost for these services. The VS Coordinator
is available during business hours for consultations regarding visitation
plans or for locating services in other jurisdictions. An appointment
is recommended. The VS Coordinator can be reached at 410-386-2735 or emailed
at dpalmisano@ccg.carr.org.
Administrative Assistant - Gail Morningstar The Administrative Assistant provides general information to the public,
helps refer litigants to the appropriate staff person and can be reached
at 410-386-2751 or emailed at gmorningstar@ccg.carr.org.
Directions to Carroll County
Circuit Court
Resources
Domestic Violence Program - Located within Family Law
Administration offices, the POARP (Protective Order Advocacy and Representation
Project) assists victims of domestic violence. The POARP Legal Advocate
helps petitioners fill out and file petitions for protective orders and
related documents for both Circuit and District Courts. The Advocate also
assists in explaining the process and referring petitioners to appropriate
services when necessary, such as crisis workers, counseling, and shelter.
No appointment is necessary and assistance is given on first come, first
serve basis. There is also a POARP attorney on staff to provide representation
for eligible victims at protective order hearings. Appointments are necessary
to meet with the attorney. POARP is grant funded through the Woman’s
Law Center of MD and the House of Ruth and serves all of Carroll County.
For further information, please contact the Legal Advocate at 410-386-2440
or emailed at cmack@ccg.carr.org.
Courthouse Family Law Advice Clinic - An attorney experienced
in family law is available on Tuesdays from 4 pm- 7
pm and Thursdays from 9 am -noon to assist in the completion of family law forms and/or to provide limited
legal advice on the following topics: divorce, separation, custody, visitation,
child support, alimony, division of marital property, mediation, name
change, guardianship, domestic violence, contempts, and emergency evaluations. Service is provided on a first come first serve basis and is limited
to persons below a certain income level who are not represented by an
attorney. The forms are also available in the Civil Clerk’s
Office and on the internet at www.courts.state.md.us/family/forms/
Children’s Waiting Room - The brightly painted
and decorated room is available for use by children who come to the courthouse
with an adult on court business. The room is supplied with books, games,
toys, a portable crib, and a TV (with Cable access) and a VCR with children’s
videos. There is no staff assigned to this area, so children under the
age of eight must supervised by an adult in the room.
Conference Room - This room can accommodate meetings
for a group of up to six people. The room is available for appropriate
meetings, mediations, attorney-client conferences, etc. with permission
by the Family Law Administration.
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