Calvert Cnty. Cir. Ct. Family DCM Plan 2.5

(a) Track One -- Expedited Domestic Track. An action shall be assigned to an expedited

track when it appears that the matter is uncontested.

(b) Track Two -- Standard Domestic Pro Se Track. All actions that are contested,

where all of the parties are self-represented and the case is not assigned to the limited divorce

domestic track shall be assigned to the standard domestic pro se track.

(c) Track Three -- Standard Domestic Track. All actions that are contested, where at

least one of the parties is represented and the case is not assigned to the limited divorce domestic

track shall be assigned to the standard domestic track.

(d) Track Four -- Limited Divorce Track. All cases in w hich a limited divorce is

requested shall be assigned to this track.

Table 1.1 – Family Tracks Case Types and Outcomes

Track Case Subtypes Expected Case Duration and

Notes

Track 1

Expedited

All uncontested cases. 75 days

Track 2

Standard Pro

Se

1. Contested Divorce, with or

without custody and child support

2. Contested Child Support

3. Contested Child Access

4. Contested Adoption

5. Guardianship

Paternity

Track 3

Standard

1. Contested Divorce, with or

without custody and child support

2. Contested Child Support

3. Contested Child Access

4. Contested Adoption

5. Guardianship

Paternity

545 days

Track 4

Limited

Divorce

Limited Divorce 700 days

Table 1.2 – Family DCM Track Guidelines

Discovery

Family Case Answer Scheduling Settlement Motions Pretrial Merits

Track Types Tracks Filing Filed Conference Mediation Conference Filed Conference Hearing

One Expedited 0 days 30 days n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 75 days

Two Standard Pro Se 0 days 30 days n/a 60 days n/a n/a 180 days 210 days

Three Standard 0 days 30 days 60 days 120 days 180 days 210 days 240 days 270 days

Limited 0 days 30 days 60 days 120 days 210 days 575 days 690 days 725 days

Four Divorce

(c) Contested Custody/Visitation - ADR Programs.

(i) If all parties are self-represented, the Family Services Office shall arrange for

mediation. No Scheduling Conferences or Settlement Conferences are typically

conducted.

(ii) When any party is represented, a Scheduling Conference will be held. At the

Scheduling Conference, the Court shall determine which services are necessary.

The Court may direct the Family Services Office to arrange for one, or a

combination, of the following services: (i) custody evaluation by the court-appointed evaluator; (ii) home study by the Department of Social Services; (iii)

substance abuse evaluation by designated agency; (iv) psychological evaluation by

the court-appointed psychologist, or (v) any other program the court deems

necessary.

(iii) Regardless of the results of the mediation process, the mediator shall file a

written report with the Family Services Office when the process is completed but

no later than 30 days from the final mediation session.

(iv) If the parties reach agreement, the mediator shall submit that agreement to the

Court through the Family Services Office. If the written agreement is received and

found acceptable by the Court prior to the Settlement Conference, and all other

issues are resolved, the Court may proceed with an uncontested divorce on the date

of the Settlement Conference. If there are issues, other than custody and visitation,

the case shall proceed to a Settlement Conference, if appropriate..

(v) If the parties fail to reach an agreement through the initial ADR programs,

Track 2 cases shall proceed directly to trial. For Track 3 and 4 cases, a Pretrial

Settlement Conference will be scheduled before the magistrate pursuant to

paragraph 2.7 (b)