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 The
Office of the Family Services Coordinator offers pre-trial interventions
and implementation of court-ordered services for each party involved in
a domestic dispute. These services include alternative dispute resolution,
pre-trial settlement conferences through the Masters’ Office, appointment
of counsel for minor children, family and individual counseling, substance
abuse evaluation and referral, home studies, mediation, co-parenting seminars,
psychological evaluation, custody evaluation, supervised visitation and
monitored exchange, and all compliance issues. Available services are listed
below:
COUNTY SERVICES
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COUNTY SERVICES CO-PARENTING EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR – The Center for Conflict Resolution The Center offers the Co-Parenting Seminar to litigants who are court-ordered as well as from the community. They provide information which will help parents understand how their children are affected by separation and divorce, and teach them the skills to deal with these effects. The Co-Parenting Seminar is a six-hour seminar offered once a month on the first and second Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Salisbury State University. Dr. Phillip Bosserman, Executive
Director
Mediation services are ordered for litigants in issues involving custody and visitation. Each party is referred to a court-approved mediator who conducts the sessions in Wicomico County. Mediation may also be accessed through the Center for Conflict Resolution on a voluntary basis; 410-219-2873. SUPERVISED VISITATION AND MONITORED EXCHANGE – The Lower Shore Family Visitation Center The Lower Shore Family Visitation Center and Life Crisis Center have formed a partnership to provide Supervised Visitation/Monitored Exchange for Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties. The Center offers a safe and neutral location for divorced or separated non-custodial parents to exchange or visit their children and to rebuild a healthy parent-child relationship. Supervised Visitation and/or Monitored Exchange must be Court-Ordered, and can only be arranged through the Family Services Coordinator for the litigants’ county. There are limited hours of operation and a fee for each service. vacant, Family Services Coordinator
VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY SETTLEMENT PANEL – Wicomico County Bar Association This program is a free service offered through the Court by a cadre of experienced Family Law attorneys. The panel consists of members of the WCBA who meet with parties and their counsel to effectuate a settlement or narrow the issues before trial. Arrangements are facilitated through Family Services. WICOMICO COUNTY PRO SE ATTORNEY There is a court-based pro se attorney available at the court house every Monday from 9:00 a.m. until noon and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. This attorney provides procedural advice and assistance in completing forms for pro se litigants. In cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, child sexual assault, child physical assault, etc., there are services and counseling offered to both the victim and the perpetrator on a sliding scale basis. No one is turned away for inability to pay. P. O. Box 387, Salisbury, MD 21803
This is a two-hour psycho-educational program offered once a month to all children of separation and divorce between the ages of 6-17. Dr. Eileen Matlack
WICOMICO COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES / ENFORCEMENT Free services for individuals receiving public assistance (temporary cash assistance [TCA] or medical assistance [MA]) through the state. All other Applicants are charged $25.00. The Assistant Attorney General, Ray Jarvis, Esquire, handles these cases for the Department of Social Services. Marie Kenny, Asst. Director, Child
Support Services
There is a pro bono liaison who is designated as the vice-president of the Wicomico County Bar Association. Cases are assigned by this attorney in conjunction with MVLS for referred pro bono cases, usually domestic matters. Matthew Mills,
Vice President Provides legal services in civil (not criminal) matters where the well-being of children is immediately threatened. The Bureau also handles problems in the following areas: housing, public benefits (such as unemployment, AFDC, and Social Security) and problems of senior citizens. Also provides legal services for migrant farm workers. Services extremely limited in some counties. Robert McCaig, Esquire, Chief Attorney,
CHALLENGES PROGRAM – Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children Provides seven free counseling sessions to teens in trouble. These sessions must be court ordered. As a deterrent, if the teen is non-compliant, a fee can also be court ordered. P. O. Box 870
Alternative sentencing program for under-age, first-time drug and alcohol offenders. Program is held four consecutive Friday evenings, three hours each evening. Fee is $110.00. Scholarships available based on need. TFC Terry Ober, Maryland State Police
410-758-4793
WICOMICO COUNTY VICTIM-WITNESS COORDINATOR The State's Attorney's Office offers support, guidance, and information to the victims and witnesses involved in cases being prosecuted through that office. They will help with completing forms, familiarization with procedure, and provide the support needed to help the victim and/or witness through the Judicial system. Wayne W. Lowe (Circuit Court) and
STATEWIDE SERVICES MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) – In Cooperation with the County Bar Association Non-profit free legal help. In order to qualify, the litigant's household income must fall within their income guidelines and have a matter that can be resolved by using the DOM REL forms. Covers: consumer problems, bankruptcy, govt. benefits, tax audits, private pension benefits, divorce, custody, guardianship, wills, power of attorney, etc. Megan Burry, Wicomico Contact Person
Provides legal services in civil (not criminal) matters where the well-being of children is immediately threatened. The Bureau also handles problems in the following areas: housing, public benefits (such as unemployment, AFDC, and Social Security) and problems of senior citizens. Also provides legal services for migrant farm workers. Services extremely limited in some counties. http://www.mdlab.org Volunteer attorneys answer basic questions about Maryland family law, such as how to obtain a separation, child custody, child support, and ways to escape family violence. Litigants must be income eligible and provide basic data required by funding source. Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30 AM –
4:30 PM
For questions about completing and filing the Domestic Relations (DOM REL) forms or more information about the court process. A family law attorney and/or paralegal will provide the assistance and advise regarding the process for notifying the other side and how to respond to pleadings served on the caller. Tuesday and Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM; Wednesday 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The Woman’s Law Center of Maryland,
Inc.
MARYLAND DISABILITY LAW CENTER Legal assistance for the disabled, e.g., special education, social security benefits, vocational rehabilitation, protective services, guardianship, nursing home advocacy, and legal services to Children in Need of Assistance. 1400 Mercantile Lane, Suite 242
PEOPLES’ LAW LIBRARY OF MARYLAND This free Internet site contains information and forms on Maryland Family Law. Public Internet terminals are available in many public libraries. http://www.peoples-law.com Telephone or Internet Maryland legal advice on any subject for a flat fee of $34.95 per call payable by credit card. 888-367-5252
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