Attorney Appointment for Children
In actions with contested issues involving child custody, child access, or the amount of support of the minor child, one or both parties may file with the Court a motion to appoint child counsel. Child’s counsel may serve as a child advocate attorney, a best interest attorney and/or child’s privilege attorney. For additional information, please contact the Family Services Coordinator.
Supervised Visitation Program
High Street Psychotherapy Visitation Center provides court ordered supervised visitation for families in Kent County for minor children and their non-custodial parent. Supervised visitations are scheduled by the center for a two-hour meeting which includes windows for drop off and pick up.
Both the custodial parent and non-custodial parent must complete an intake session before supervised visitations may begin. Appointments may be made by contacting Russ Widder, LCSW-C at 410-443-0401.
The fee for intake is one hundred dollars ($100) for each party and the fee for the visitation is fifty dollars ($50) per visit. The court will direct who is the party responsible for the payment of the fees.
Fee waivers may be available for eligible parties. Please contact the Family Services Coordinator for more information regarding waivers.
Settlement Conferences
Parties and their attorneys appear before a Retired Second Circuit Judge for a settlement conference at the Kent County Courthouse, located at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. If the case settles, attorneys and clients may enter the agreement “on the record” or submit a written agreement and/or order to the court. A merits hearing is set for cases that do not settle.
Home Study Investigations
By court order, the Kent County Department of Social Services (KCDSS) conducts home study investigations of one or both parties who live in Kent County, Maryland. The investigator prepares a written report of findings for filing with the Court. A fee of two hundred dollars ($200) is charged and must be paid in advance and directly to KCDSS before the investigation will begin. KCDSS requires sixty days (60) to complete. When a criminal background check is required, KCDSS will coordinate that process and include it in its report to the court for an additional fee of eighty-five dollars ($85).
Private home study investigations are also used.
Substance Use Assessments
Parties may be ordered to complete a substance abuse assessment. A substance abuse assessment may include urinalysis testing, interviews, and other diagnostic tools. The Court will issue orders for these services as needed. The fee for this service may vary depending on where the assessment is completed, and most of covered by insurance.
For a listing of providers in the area, please visit: kenthd.org/adult-health/addictions/outpatient
Fee waivers may be available for eligible parties. Please contact the Family Services Coordinator for more information regarding waivers.
Hair Follicle Testing
The Court may order parties to undergo hair follicle testing. The Court maintains a list of providers for this service and will direct parties by court order where testing is to take place. Fees for this service vary depending on the type of test ordered.
Fee waivers may be available for eligible parties. Please contact the Family Services Coordinator for more information regarding waivers.
Mental Health Evaluation
Where a party’s mental health is at issue, the Court may order a mental health evaluation by a psychologist which may include but is not limited to the following: psychological testing, interviews, other diagnostic tools, review of prior mental health treatment records, and other health-related records. A final report is filed and sealed by the Court.