A parenting plan in Kent County, Maryland, is governed by Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 (custody: experienced interests), and Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ. The Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division) at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620 handles all parenting plan and custody matters.
Parenting Plan Lawyer Kent County, Maryland
In Maryland, a parenting plan is a court-ordered schedule that governs custody, visitation, and decision-making responsibilities for minor children. Under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101, the court determines custody based on the experienced interests of the child, considering factors such as the fitness of each parent, the child’s stability, and the child’s preference if appropriate. Parenting plans are typically filed as part of a divorce or custody action in the Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division). Maryland uniquely offers mutual consent divorce with no separation period required — both parties must agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement resolving all issues including custody and parenting time. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Advocacy Without Borders, brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: May 2026 | Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division) | Maryland Courts
For the full text of Maryland’s custody and parenting plan statutes, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For information on the Circuit Court for Kent County, visit courts.state.md.us (Maryland Judiciary — official site).
In the Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division), judges routinely order mediation for custody and parenting time disputes before scheduling a contested hearing. We have observed that parents who present a detailed, mutually agreed parenting plan at the initial hearing often receive faster court approval. The court strongly encourages parents to complete the mandatory parenting seminar early in the process.
- File a complaint for custody or divorce with the Circuit Court for Kent County.
- Attend the mandatory parenting seminar (cost: $50-$100).
- Participate in court-ordered mediation (cost: $100-$350/hour).
- Submit a proposed parenting plan to the court.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing if temporary orders are needed.
- Finalize the parenting plan at the final hearing or by consent.
In Kent County, Maryland, failure to comply with a court-ordered parenting plan can result in contempt of court proceedings, which carry potential penalties including fines, modification of custody, and in severe cases, incarceration.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (Violation of Parenting Plan) | Civil or Criminal Contempt | Up to 90 days (criminal contempt) | Up to $1,000 (criminal contempt) | None directly | Modification of custody; attorney fees; mandatory mediation |
| Interference with Custody (Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-304) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $1,000 | None directly | Loss of custody; supervised visitation; criminal record |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Advocacy Without Borders, brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce. The firm handles parenting plan and family law matters in Kent County with a focus on achieving fair and sustainable outcomes for families.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, with a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. While specific case results for Kent County are not separately tracked, the firm’s extensive experience in Maryland family law includes numerous favorable outcomes in custody and parenting plan cases. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville, MD is approximately 60 miles from the Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division) at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620, with access via Route 213, Route 301, and Route 20. We serve as a parenting plan lawyer near me Kent County for clients in Chestertown, Rock Hall, Galena, Millington, and Betterton. We offer 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parenting Plans in Kent County
Does Maryland require separation before divorce?
Not always. Maryland allows mutual consent divorce with NO separation period — both parties agree and either have no minor children or have a written agreement. For absolute divorce without consent, 6-month separation is required. Filed at Kent County Circuit Court. Circuit Court divorce filing fee: $165; service of process by sheriff ($40) or private process server ($50-$100); certified copies: $20 each; parenting seminar fee: approximately $50-$100; mediation: $100-$350/hour; custody evaluation: $3,000-$10,000+ SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes
How much does a divorce cost in Kent County, Maryland?
Uncontested divorce in Maryland involves filing fees at Circuit Court for Kent County (Family Division) plus attorney fees — typically a flat fee or limited hourly. Contested divorce scales with complexity: custody evaluations, property appraisals, pension analysis, and trial preparation all affect fees. High-asset cases involving business valuation, stock options, or international assets require substantial retainers. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. discusses fee structure at initial consultation — (888) 437-7747, by appointment only.
How is child support calculated in Kent County, Maryland?
Maryland child support uses guidelines based on combined adjusted income of both parents (Family Law Art. § 12-202). The formula considers number of children, health insurance, childcare, and parenting time. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Kent County (103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620). SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes
How does custody work in Kent County, Maryland?
Maryland uses the experienced interests standard with factors including fitness, character, stability, and child’s preference. There is no presumption for either parent. Cases heard at District Court of MD for Kent County (103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620). Mediation often ordered for custody disputes. Mandatory parenting seminar for cases involving children. SRIS actively practices here — firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes
What should I do if I am facing parenting plan charges in Maryland?
If facing parenting plan charges in Maryland, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Maryland law require prompt action.
How does a Maryland lawyer defend against parenting plan charges?
Defense strategies for parenting plan in Maryland may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 to build the strongest possible defense.
For more information about family law in Maryland, visit our Divorce Lawyer Salisbury hub page. You may also find these related pages useful: Divorce Lawyer Howard County, Divorce Lawyer Calvert County, and Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County.
Last verified: May 2026 | Page generated: 2026-05-01