Family Law Resources in Baltimore County

Below is a list of Family Law Resources that are available in Baltimore County and elsewhere throughout the area:

Baltimore County Office of Child Support
170 West Ridgley Road Suite 200
Lutherville, MD 21093-5123
1-800-332-6347

This office will file for a Child Support Order and provide location and enforcement services for residents of Baltimore County and others who qualify on a legal jurisdictional basis. Services provided include legal establishment of the support obligation, enforcement of existing Court orders including civil and criminal contempt citations and license suspensions, and the collection and disbursement of child support payments. Applications may be requested by mail, phone, or in person. A $25.00 application fee is required.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a new dispute resolution model in which both parties to the dispute retain separate, specially-trained lawyers whose only job is to help them settle the dispute.  All participants agree to work together respectfully, honestly and in good faith to try to find "win-win" solutions to the problems in the dispute.  Parties enter into a contract, agreeing not go to court, or even threaten to do so.  If a party does decide to go to court, the collaborative law process terminates and both lawyers are disqualified from any further involvement in the case.  Lawyers hired for a collaborative law representation can never, under any circumstances, go to court for the clients who retained them. 

You can get more information about collaborative law by contacting the following organizations:

The Maryland Collaborative Law Association, 410-828-6075 (contact person: Susan Land, Esquire); and

The Collaborative Family Law Society, 301-907-4580 (contact person: James Gross, Esquire).

Cooperative Co-Education Classes/Office of Family Mediation
County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Avenue, Room 515
410-887-6570

This division offers free classes designed to assist concerned parents in focusing on their children's needs during separation and divorce. Separate classes for children are also offered.

Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP)
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service 410-547-6537

This is a free program for low and moderate income individuals filing for divorce and custody without a lawyer (pro se). This program combines self-help classes with optional family and individual counseling. Evening classes meet monthly in the County Courts Building.

Family Law Hotline
The Family Law Center
800-845-8550

This hotline provides individuals with information on how to obtain a separation, child custody, and child support and ways to escape domestic violence. The hotline operates Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Lawyer Referral Service
Baltimore County Bar Association
410-337-9100

This service will refer you to an experienced attorney. Participating attorneys charge a fee of $25.00 for a one-half hour consultation. 

The purpose of the consultation is to determine if further legal assistance in needed. Subsequent fees are set by the attorney.

Legal Aid Bureau
Baltimore County Office
410-296-6705

A Pro Se Divorce Class held monthly for those who have been separated for at least two years and have no child support, property or alimony issues.

Legal Forms Helpline
The Family Law Center
800-818-9888

This hotline assists people in determining if they should represent themselves in a family law case, in understanding the legal process and in completing the forms distributed by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Inc.
410-547-6537

This service refers low and moderate income individuals to attorneys on a pro bono or no cost basis.

Peoples' Law Library of Maryland
http://www.Peoples-Law.com

This free Internet site contains information and forms on Maryland Family Law. Public Internet terminals are available at all Baltimore County Public Library locations.

Protection Order Advocacy & Representation Project ("POARP")
County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Avenue, First Floor
410-887-3162

The staff lawyers in this office provide free legal advice to any victim of domestic violence.  They will discuss legal options, provide assistance in applying for an Ex Parte Order or Protection Order, help create a safety plan for victims and their children and legally represent parties in Ex Parte and/or Protection Order proceedings.

Pro Se Family Law Program
County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Avenue, First Floor
410-887-3446

New schedule of hours (effective July 10, 2000)

Monday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
Tuesday 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  

• Holidays- If a Court holiday falls on one of the above days, the Pro Se Family Law Program will be open on Thursday, of the same week, at the same designated time.
• The Pro Se Law Program will be closed during the following weeks: (1) the week before Easter; (2) July 4th week; (3) Thanksgiving week; and (4) the week between Christmas and New Years.

The Pro Se Family Law Program provides assistance on a first come, first serve basis. No appointments are necessary. If you would like to receive assistance, visit our offices during the above times (please try to arrive at least thirty minutes before closing) or call the Legal Forms Help-line, 1-800-818-9888. There is no charge for the forms, which can be obtained in the Clerk's Office (2nd floor) or the Law Library (1st floor), or for the assistance of the Pro Se attorneys in the program. However, there are costs for filing your case or serving papers for which you will be responsible.

Reduced Fee Program
Baltimore County Bar Association
410-337-9100

This program refers low and moderate income individuals to attorneys. There is no charge for the initial consultation. The hourly fee for representation $50.00.

Domestic Violence

24 Hour Hotline 410-828-6390 

Ex Parte/Protective Orders - Go to the Clerk's Office in the Court nearest your home to fill out the papers Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Court Locations

Catonsville (District Court) 
900 Walker Avenue 410-455-5066

Essex (District Court) 
8914 Kelso Drive 410-780-4869

Towson (District Court) 
120 East Chesapeake Avenue 410-512-2000

Towson (Circuit Court) 
401 Bosley Avenue 410-887-2614

Other Resources

The following services provide or give referrals for counseling, emergency and transitional shelter, and legal representation for those seeking relief from domestic violence.

Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County
Counseling 410-285-4357
Shelter 410- 285-7496

Family Violence Unit
1 Investment Place, Towson, MD 21204
Ex Parte Advocate 410-853-3030
24 Hour Hotline 410-828-6390

House of Ruth
2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
Hotline 410-889-7884
Administration 410-889-0840
Domestic Violence Legal Clinic 410-554-8463

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center
6229 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21212
Administration 410-377-8111
Hotline 410-828-6390

Revised April 21, 2004