Calvert Cnty. Cir. Ct. Family DCM Plan 2.4

(a) Uncontested Action. If an answer or amended answer filed by an unrepresented

litigant or by an attorney indicates that the action is wholly uncontested, the action shall be set in

for hearing for uncontested divorce, usually within 45 days of answer. Notice shall be sent to

attorneys and unrepresented litigants; such hearing notice shall inform attorneys and the parties of

the requirement to have a corroborating witness present at the hearing.

(b) Contested Action, Scheduling Conference.

(i) If an answer or amended answer indicates that issues are contested, and at least

one of the parties is represented, the Court shall review the file and forward the

file to the Assignment Office. The Assignment Office shall then set a Scheduling

Conference on a date that is within 30 days of the filing of the answer. No

scheduling conferences are scheduled if all parties are self-represented.

(ii) The goals of a Scheduling Conference include the following:

(a) Provide an early opportunity for the parties to settle any of the issues in

their case;

(b) Establish track assignments;

(c) Determine the contested issues in each case;

(d) Determine the need for mediation, investigations, counseling or any

other support related services; and

(e) Screen high conflict family cases so that the parties and children can be

identified for services as early as possible. This may result in High

Conflict Parenting and Mediation or Evaluations in child access cases.

(c) Assignment to Track. On the basis of information obtained at the Scheduling

Conference, the Court shall assign an action to one of the following tracks. Tracks define expected

case processing events, the timing of events, assignment, and the expectations for case duration.

The case flow time standard for Circuit Court family cases with the exception of limited divorces,

is 12 months [365 days] for 98% of cases and 24 months (730 days) for 98% of limited divorce

cases; but expected case duration is based on needed time to reach resolution, which may be less

than the time standard.