Rule 9-204.2.Joint statement of the parties concerning decision-making authority and parenting time
Last amended July 1, 2026 · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 9-204.2 requires parties who cannot agree on a parenting plan to file a Joint Statement setting out what they agree and what they do not, and fixes the timetable for exchanging and filing it.
(a)When Required. If the parties are not able to reach a comprehensive parenting plan, the parties shall file a Joint Statement of the Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time.
Cross reference: For the authority of a mediator to assist the parties with the completion of a Joint Statement, see Rule 9-205.
(b)Form of Joint Statement. The statement shall be substantially in the form approved by the State Court Administrator, posted on the Judiciary website, and available in the offices of the clerks of the circuit courts.
(c)Time for Filing; Procedure. The Joint Statement shall be filed at least ten days before any scheduled settlement conference or if none, 20 days before the scheduled trial date or by any other date fixed by the court. At least 30 days before the Joint Statement is due to be filed, each party shall prepare and serve on the other party a proposed Joint Statement in the form set forth in section (b) of this Rule. At least 15 days before the Joint Statement is due, the plaintiff shall sign and serve on the defendant for approval and signature a proposed Joint Statement that fairly reflects the positions of the parties. The defendant shall timely file the Joint Statement, which shall be signed by the defendant or shall be accompanied by a written statement of the specific reasons why the defendant did not sign.
(d)Review of Joint Statement. Prior to rendering its decision, the court shall consider the entire Joint Statement. As to the provisions upon which the parties agree as well as those upon which the court must decide, the court shall address the factors listed in Code, Family Law Article, § 9-201(a) and articulate its findings of fact on the record or in writing pursuant to Code, Family Law Article, § 9-201(b).
(e)Sanctions. If a party willfully fails to comply with this Rule, the court, on motion or on its own initiative, after the opportunity for a hearing, may enter any appropriate order in regard to the noncompliance.
Committee note: Failure to comply with this Rule cannot be the basis upon which to deny a party's request for decision-making authority or parenting time.
End
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.
When a parenting plan fails, the court still needs to know where the parties stand. The Joint Statement is how it finds out — a single document showing the provisions the parties agree on and those the court will have to decide. Its form is the one the State Court Administrator approves, posted on the Judiciary website and available from the clerks.
The timetable runs backwards from the trial. The Joint Statement is filed at least ten days before any scheduled settlement conference or, if there is none, 20 days before the scheduled trial date, or by any other date the court fixes. At least 30 days before it is due, each party prepares and serves a proposed Joint Statement on the other — so the filing reflects a real exchange rather than one party's draft.
The court must consider the entire Joint Statement before deciding, addressing the statutory best-interest factors and articulating its findings on the record or in writing, both as to what the parties agreed and what it has to decide itself.
Sanctions are available for a willful failure to comply, after an opportunity to be heard — but a committee note draws the line clearly: failure to comply cannot be the basis for denying a party's request for decision-making authority or parenting time. The procedural default does not cost anyone their relationship with their child.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Joint Statement due?
At least ten days before any scheduled settlement conference or, if there is none, 20 days before the scheduled trial date, or by any other date the court fixes.
Do we have to exchange drafts first?
Yes. At least 30 days before the Joint Statement is due to be filed, each party prepares and serves a proposed Joint Statement on the other party.
What happens if a party ignores this rule?
The court may enter an appropriate order after an opportunity for a hearing. But the committee note states that failure to comply cannot be the basis on which to deny a party's request for decision-making authority or parenting time.
Where do I get the form?
It is the form approved by the State Court Administrator, posted on the Judiciary website and available in the offices of the clerks of the circuit courts.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
Maryland Rules, Title 9 — Family Law Actions (Md. Rule 9-204.2). Adopted by the Supreme Court of Maryland. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:Maryland joint statement custodyRule 9-204.2 parenting timejoint statement deadline 20 dayscustody joint statement form