Family Law is the same for all Courts in Maryland, however, the internal Court Procedure for how things are done varies from County to County.   For example, in the Montgomery County Family Law Court, they bifurcate Custody and Divorce issues and have two separate Trials for these things.   The Prince George's PG County Family Law Court usually does not bifurcate Custody and Divorce the way the Montgomery County Court does, but includes them both in the same Trial when both Divorce and Custody are involved.


After the Defendant files their Answer to a Complaint For Custody and/or Divorce, the Prince George's PG County Circuit Court will issue a date for a Scheduling Conference.   This is where both parties and their attorneys (if they have) must appear to set the date for a possible pendente lite hearing and Pre-Trial/Settlement Conference.   Some Courts, such as the Circuit Courts for Allegany County and Garrett County, do not usually set Scheduling Conferences and just issue the dates that will apply in this case.


The Scheduling Conference is also the time to request a court-appointed Best-Interest Attorney for the child involved in the case and/or a Custody Evauation done by the Court, if desired.


At this time (December of 2025), the Circuit Court For Prince George's PG County, MD does provide free Custody Evaluations done by the Court, if a Motion is filed and granted requesting this.   Not all Courts in Maryland provide this service.   This could change at any time.


If a Best-Interest Attorney for the Child involved in the case is appointed for this case, the Circuit Court For Prince George's PG County MD requires a deposit of $1,500 from each of the parties for the service of a Best-Interest Attorney for the Child being provided.   Best-Interest Attorneys appointed by the Circuit Court For Prince George's PG County, MD can charge their normal hourly rate, and if/when this deposit is used up, the parties will be required to pay an additional amount.   This could change at any time.   Some other Courts in Maryland require a much higher initial deposit, and some other Courts in Maryland require much lower initial deposits.


The Prince George's PG County MD Circuit Court can set Scheduling Conferences on Wednesdays or Thursdays.   Some other Courts in Maryland set scheduling conferences only on Mondays (Wicomico and Caroline).


Scheduling Conferences in the Circuit Court For Prince George's PG County are usually set to be via Zoom. The purpose of a Scheduling Conference is to set dates for things like pendente lite hearings, Pre-Trial/Settlement Conferences, and possibly order things like mandatory Mediation, Custody Evaluation, and/or the appointment of a Best-Interest Attorney for the children involved in the case.


Pre-Trial/Settlement Conferences in the Circuit Court For Prince George's PG County MD can be set for any day and online appearance for these may possibly be usually allowed, if a Joint Motion is filed requesting this, and the judge it has been assigned to agrees to this.


The purpose of a pendente lite hearing is to maintain the Family status quo when the other party has done something to disrupt this status quo and expedited relief is needed due to a Trial date not being available for several months.


Pendente Lite Hearings and Merits Trials in the Circuit Court for Prince George's PG County, MD can be set for any day.   They do not usually allow more than 3 hours for a pendente lite hearing.   You can file a Motion asking for a full-day pendente lite hearing, which might be granted if you explain why a full day is needed.


Uncontested and Contempt Hearings may be set for any day.


After the Scheduling Conference, a Scheduling Order will be issued.   This will contain deadlines and other requirements.   Some Courts do not issue Scheduling Orders for Family Law cases.   The Circuit Court for Prince George's PG County MD usually does.   Some Courts have more deadlines and requirements in their Scheduling Orders than others.


*It is very important for you to read the Scheduling Order issued in your case because it could have other deadlines in it.


*The information on this page is general, could change at any time without Notice, and is not meant to replace Legal Advice.