§ 1-201. Jurisdiction of equity court

MD Fam L Code § 1-201 (2019) (N/A)
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(a)    For the purposes of subsection (b)(10) of this section, “child” means an unmarried individual under the age of 21 years.

(b)    An equity court has jurisdiction over:

(1)    adoption of a child, except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;

(2)    alimony;

(3)    annulment of a marriage;

(4)    divorce;

(5)    custody or guardianship of a child except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance;

(6)    visitation of a child;

(7)    legitimation of a child;

(8)    paternity;

(9)    support of a child; and

(10)    custody or guardianship of an immigrant child pursuant to a motion for Special Immigrant Juvenile factual findings requesting a determination that the child was abused, neglected, or abandoned before the age of 18 years for purposes of § 101(a)(27)(J) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.

(c)    In exercising its jurisdiction over the custody, guardianship, visitation, or support of a child, an equity court may:

(1)    direct who shall have the custody or guardianship of a child, pendente lite or permanently;

(2)    determine who shall have visitation rights to a child;

(3)    decide who shall be charged with the support of the child, pendente lite or permanently;

(4)    from time to time, set aside or modify its decree or order concerning the child; or

(5)    issue an injunction to protect a party to the action from physical harm or harassment.

(d)    This section does not take away or impair the jurisdiction of a juvenile court or a criminal court with respect to the custody, guardianship, visitation, and support of a child.