Cecil Cnty. Cir. Ct. Family DCM Plan 3.1

Parties involved in contested custody

and/or visitation matters where there are no allegations of abuse will be ordered to attend mediation,

neutral case evaluation, or other ADR. The actual dates of ADR will be ordered at the Scheduling

Conference.

When ADR is ordered, when possible, Family Support Services shall notify the service provider

through electronic means.

The ADR provider will attempt to facilitate an agreement between the parties. If the parties are unable

to reach an agreement, the ADR provider may request that the Court extend the ADR order to include

more sessions. Pursuant to Md. Rule §9-205(c), the Court may order up to two additional mediation

sessions. The parties may also voluntarily continue with further ADR at their mutual election. Any

additional costs of ADR will be paid for by the parties.

Pursuant to Md. Rule §9-205(c)(2), the parties may extend the scope of ADR beyond the issues of

custody and visitation, only if both they and their attorneys agree to do so in writing. The ADR

provider shall submit a consent form to that effect with the signatures of both parties and their counsel

at the time a completed written agreement is forwarded to the Court.

3.1.1 Costs

The established fees for court-certified alternative dispute resolution providers in Cecil County shall

be provided to the parties by the Family Services Coordinator. Each party must bring his/her total

payment to the first session. Payment is to be by cash, money order, or certified check payable to the

provider. Personal checks and credit cards may be accepted by prior arrangement with the provider.

Each party must pay for any session he or she misses. If a party feels he or she is unable to afford the

cost of ADR, he or she may apply for a waiver of the fee by filing a motion for waiver of fee of ADR

services available from the Family Services Coordinator.