Family Court Services

The Office of Family Court Services provides support services to families who have an open court case in Harford County Circuit Court.  These cases are primarily child custody and/or access issues. Child support issues are not referred to this office.  The Mission of the Office of Family Court Services is to identify, support and promote the needs of the children in the delivery of these services.

The Office of Family Court Services serves persons who are income eligible.  “Income eligible” means that parties combined income is over $150,000.00.  The Family Law Case Coordinator screens each parent’s income to determine whether a case will be referred to the Office of Family Court Services or to a private service provider approved by the Court.  When a case is referred to a private service provider, the Court has determined that the parties have the financial ability to pay the full cost for service. 

Office of the Family Law Case Coordinator
Karen Tracy, Family Law Case Coordinator – 410-638-3038, [email protected]       
Holly Warns, Assistant Coordinator – 410-638-3149, [email protected] 

The Family Law Case Coordinator’s staff reviews all contested domestic cases, except child support, and refers them for scheduling conferences and hearings with judges and magistrates.
The office is also responsible for case management of matters ordered for services.  The staff coordinates and tracks family support service referrals.

The office is not permitted to offer legal advice; however, can answer any general questions regarding family law case procedure.  The primary goal is to ensure that cases are processed timely and efficiently and to coordinate the appropriate alternate dispute resolution services.

The following services are coordinated through this office:

  • Attorneys for Children
  • Child Access Assessment
  • Children’s Group
  • Developmental Needs Assessment
  • Drug Testing
  • Home Studies
  • Parent Coordination
  • Parent Reunification
  • Paternity Testing (Non Child Support Administration Cases)
  • Psychological Evaluations
  • Quick Initial Substance Abuse Screening
  • Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchanges

 The Office of Family Court Services provides the following family support services in an open child custody and/or access case in Harford County Circuit Court:

ADR Services  
Mediation
Child Access Assessment 
Voluntary Mediation
Children’s Support Group
Quick Initial Substance Abuse Screening (QISS)
Developmental Need Assessment of Children (DNA)
Supervised Access and Monitored Exchanges
Home Study Investigations
Independent Adoption Investigation
Dependency Mediation in CINA Cases (Juvenile Court)

ADR Services 
ADR stands for “Alternative Dispute Resolution.”  In family disputes, the Court considers “the best interest of the child.” The first action the Court takes in the best interest of children is to provide the litigants an alternative way of resolving the family dispute – i.e., an alternative to a trial.  The reason is this:

Mental health research informs us that the most important factor that influences a child’s healthy adjustment after parents separate or divorce is the level of conflict between the parents. 

A trial is not the best “first option” to address a family conflict.  Therefore, the first decision the Court makes in a child’s best interest is to provide parents with an “alternative” to a trial.

ADR (alternative dispute resolution) options are usually mandatory in contested child custody and/or access cases, before a trial.  In Harford County Circuit Court, the three basic ADR services are:  Co-Parenting Education, Mediation, and Child Access Assessment.  Generally, these services are provided by the Office of Family Court Services.

Co-Parenting Education 
The Court will order education for parents who are unable to resolve child custody and/or access issues to the following On Line Co-Parenting Courses  (MD Rule 9-204) :

Cost:  $25.00 per person or scholarships available with income documentation.

Mediation – (Confidential negotiation)
Contact the ADR Program Manager – Heather Akehurst-Krause, Esquire, 410-638-3054, [email protected]    
(Please Note:  Cases where there exists a genuine concern about safety, domestic violence, or where a protective order is in place are not eligible for Court Ordered Mediation).
Mediation is a confidential negotiation process that generally consists of 2 sessions. Children are not seen.  Sessions are conducted by a trained mediator approved by the Court. If parties reach an agreement, the mediator will draft a document called a “Parenting Plan.”  Parties have the right to review the Parenting Plan document with an attorney or parties may waive that right. 
Once the Parenting Plan document is signed by both parties, it is submitted to the Court and a request is made that the Court issue a Consent Order that incorporates the terms of the Parenting Plan. Once that Consent Order is issued and signed by a Judge, the terms of the Parenting Plan are enforceable by the Court.   
If no agreement is reached, the mediator cannot be called to testify because it is a confidential process and only reports the outcome as “no agreement” to the court.

Private Mediations: If combined incomes are less than $150,000, parties will be referred to Office of Family Court Services staff. Parties with a combined income greater than $150,000 will be referred to a private provider with a fee of $200.00 per hour.

Child Access Assessment – (information gathering process with the option to settle)
Contact the Family Law Case Coordinator

A licensed mental health provider gathers information about the child(ren)’s needs and each parent’s ability to meet those needs.  There is no confidentiality.  This process consists of 4 sessions, children are seen at the appropriate time.  Parties are given the option to draft a parenting plan. If parties elect to do so, the assessor drafts the proposed plan and forwards copies to both parties and their attorneys, if they are represented. Unrepresented parties are advised of their right to have the Plan reviewed by Counsel if they so choose. If acceptable, the Parenting Plan document is submitted to the Court and a request is made that the Court issue a Consent Order that incorporates the terms of the Parenting Plan. When this option is chosen, no assessment report is given to the Court because the parties have exercised their option to resolve their dispute.

On the other hand, if a parenting plan is not elected, the assessor will conduct a 5th session with parties and attorneys to provide an oral summary of the assessment report before placing an oral report on the record at a scheduled hearing before a Magistrate. At the hearing, the assessor provides the report verbally under oath and there is an opportunity for cross examination.

Fee:  If combined incomes are less than $150,000, parties will be referred to Office of Family Court Services staff for a no cost assessment. Parties with a combined income greater than $150,000 will be referred to a private provider (fees are $3,000.00 per case).  Parties who have a combined income over $150,000 and cannot afford to pay a private provider, may complete a Fee Waiver Request Form with income documentation attached and if approved by the court, will be referred to Office of Family Court Services staff.  
Contact the Self Help Center for a Fee Waiver Request Form.

Psychological Evaluations (Court Order required)   Contact the Family Law Case Coordinator

As a result of a child access assessment or independent of a child access assessment, the Court may order an additional mental health evaluation conducted by a psychologist when a parent or a child‘s mental health is at issue. All psychological evaluations are conducted by private providers approved by the Court.

Fees range from $3,500.00 per person to $4,500.00 per person depending on the specific service selected.  An additional fee is required if the psychologist is subpoenaed to testify in court. Limited scholarships are available with submission of Fee Waiver Request Form and financial documentation attached.   Contact the Self Help Center for a Fee Waiver Request Form.

  • Psychological Evaluation of an individual: determines if there is a diagnosable mental health condition that would impact or impair parenting. It also addresses if there are other conditions that need to be treated. Includes testing. No recommendation about custody is provided.
    Fee:  $3,500.00 per person. 
    A written report is submitted to the Court.
  • Parenting Evaluation: includes psychological evaluations of each parent (not child(ren)); observations of parents and child; interview of the child; limited collateral contacts; and a written report.
    Fee:  $4,500.00 per parent with 1 child; each additional child is $500.00
  • Custody Evaluation conducted by a psychologist: includes everything listed above in a Parenting Evaluation PLUS psychological testing of each child.
    Recommendations regarding custody and access are included in the written report.
    Fee to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Voluntary Mediation   
Voluntary Mediation is mediation that does not require a Court order.  Voluntary Mediation is available for those who have a dispute about child custody or access and also have a child support case where the non-custodial parent is in arrears.  The Office of Family Court Services can provide voluntary mediation at no cost. Mediation will only address parenting time.  If parenting time is resolved through these services, the parents will return to The Office of Child Support Enforcement with a Consent Order to work out the remaining child support issue.

Children’s Support Group – “Coping with Parents Who Live Apart”
Contact the Office of Family Court Services at 410-638-3100. Pre-registration required.
For children, ages 5-17 – No cost 
Educational Classes run 6 consecutive Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
No classes are offered in the summer.
Generally, children are referred by Court Order.
(Voluntary referrals are accepted only if parents commit to the child will attend all 6 classes).

QISS – (Quick Initial Substance Abuse Screening)
The Quick Initial Substance Abuse Screening is a quick preliminary screening by a certified addictions counselor through the Office of Family Court Services.

  • Requires Court Order.
  • No Cost
  • One 2-hour interview with both parents required
  • Completion of SASSI screening tool (paper and pencil) and limited collateral contacts
  • A brief outcome report to the Court may either recommend or rule out the need for more in-depth evaluation and treatment.

DNA – (Developmental Need Assessment of Children)
“DNA” here refers to a “Developmental Needs Assessment” of a child (6-17 years of age) whose parents are involved in a custody or access dispute.  It is intended to target those children who may need additional mental health consultation.

  • Requires Court Order
  • No Cost
  • Conducted by a licensed psychologist at Office of Family Court Services
  • 2 child interviews
  • Limited objective screening (paper and pencil)
  • Parents are not interviewed, but will complete parent questionnaires (paper and pencil)

Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchanges:
The Harford County Visitation Service (HCVS) Program Coordinator: Susan Duley
An impartial third party, approved by the Court, may be ordered to provide observations to the Court and ensure safety and appropriateness during visits and exchanges of children.

  • Requires Court Order
  • An Intake interview of both parties is required before visits begin
  • A report is provided to the Court
  • Cost:
    • There is a one-time intake fee of $70.00
    • $1,180.00 – 20 hours of visitation and 12 hours of case documentation and report writing.
    • Scholarships are available with income documentation
  • Harford County Visitation Center - For more information:    
    Website: [email protected] 
    Telephone: 410-322-8013

Reunification Counseling:
This is a specialized counseling service provided by a private, licensed, mental health professional that targets those family situations in which

  • A child has had little or no contact with a non-custodial parent who is asking for parenting time with that child; OR
  • A child who is resisting or refusing contact with a parent.

In general, this type of specialized counseling can be helpful in addressing the limited goal of how best to introduce or re-introduce the child and the non-custodial parent in a way that is safe, appropriate, and takes the child’s needs into consideration.
Fees:  $175/hour - $500/hour for reunification counseling; Report fees:  $250 - $700
Grant funding is not available for Reunification Counseling. Parties may wish to explore counseling services provided through insurance or pay out of pocket.

Attorneys for Children (MD Rule 9-205.1)
The Court may appoint an attorney for a child in a contested custody or access case.  The Court will specify one of the following 3 roles:

  • Privilege Attorney – Decides if a child’s privileged communication with a therapist should be waived and that information disclosed to the Court.
  • Advocate – Advocates the child’s desire to the court (usually appointed for older children)
  • Best Interest Attorney (BIA) – Considers the child’s desire, but also gathers information from other sources and makes a recommendation to the Court about a custody or parenting time arrangement.

The Court maintains a list of approved attorneys who have also completed special training provided by the Court.

  • Cost:  $250/hour - $425/hour
  • Limited scholarships are available with financial documentation attached to a completed Fee Waiver Request form sent to the Court for approval.
  • Contact Family Law Case Coordinator.

Home Study Investigations
Contact the Family Law Case Coordinator
Requires a Court Order
No fee

An investigation may be ordered to describe the physical arrangements provided for the child.
All persons living in the home, including the child, are required to be present for the investigation. Limited collateral information may be included.
A written report is provided to the Court.

Independent Adoption Investigation
Contact the Family Law Case Coordinator
Requires a Court Order
No Fee

An investigation may be ordered prior to finalizing an independent adoption for the purpose of insuring that the consents filed are free and voluntary acts and that the adoptive placement is appropriate.

Dependency Mediation in CINA Cases (Juvenile Court)
Contact the Director of Family Court Services at 410–638-3100
No Fee.
Court Order is required

Dependency Mediation is an informal process that provides an opportunity for a confidential discussion about a child in a dependency (abuse or neglect) case before it goes to Court.  Cases are referred when there is an action filed by the Department of Social Services in the Juvenile Court to Terminate Parental Rights (TPR). All parties may exercise the option to have legal counsel present. Persons ordered to participate may include (but are not limited to): Birth parents, foster or pre-adoptive parents; attorneys for these parties; attorneys for children; representatives from the Department of Social Services and their attorney. The goal of the mediation is to provide an opportunity to exchange information about the plan for the child. Everyone has the right to disagree with any proposal they do not like. Mediation may also result in a permanent arrangement for the child as soon as possible, providing that all parties agree.

Family Law Assistance Programs

See Self Help Center and Legal Assistance Programs/Pro Bono Services which provide free legal consultation on how to represent oneself and complete forms for family law matters.

For more general information regarding family law, access any family law forms, or legal representation, please visit: