Rule 9-104.Notice of filing of petition; status conference
Last amended January 1, 2022 · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 9-104
Amendment History
Maryland publishes each rule’s adoption and amendment record as a bracketed “Credits” note beneath the rule, giving the date of each Rules Order and the date it took effect. It is reproduced verbatim below.
[Adopted June 5, 1996, eff. Jan. 1, 1997. Amended June 4, 2007, eff. July 1, 2007; Nov. 9, 2021, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.]
Plain-English Summary
A short rule doing two things. Notice that a guardianship or adoption petition has been filed goes out as the Family Law Article requires, and which section applies depends on the kind of proceeding — one for a public agency adoption without prior termination, another after termination, another for a private agency guardianship, another for a private agency adoption, another for an independent adoption.
The second half applies only to public agency adoptions. When the notice of filing goes out, the court must schedule a status conference to be held no later than 60 days after the petition was filed. These are the cases where a child is already in the State's care, and the conference exists to keep them moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must the court hold a status conference in an adoption case?
In a public agency adoption, no later than 60 days after the petition is filed. The court schedules it at the time the notice of filing is sent.
Is a status conference required in a private or independent adoption?
No. Rule 9-104 requires one only in a public agency adoption.
Who gets notice that an adoption petition has been filed?
Whoever the applicable section of the Family Law Article requires, which varies with the type of proceeding. The rule points to the governing section for each of the five kinds of case.