If you want to initiate or open a divorce case, use the Complaint/Counter-Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020) or Complaint/Counter-Complaint for Limited Divorce (CC-DR-021). If you want to respond to a divorce case that your spouse has opened, use the Answer (CC-DR-050) and Counter-Complaint (CC-DR-020/021).
File a Notice of Intention to Defend: You must file this within 15 days of receiving the summons. The Notice is on the bottom half of the summons. Once you have responded, the Court will send the plaintiff a copy of this notice. File a Counterclaim, Cross-claim, or a Third-Party Complaint.
Prepare your response, which is called an "Answer." In your Answer, you must address each allegation in the complaint and state your defenses. You can find templates for Answers online or at the court clerk's office. 4. File your Answer with the court by the deadline stated in the summons.
The person served with the complaint has 30 days to answer, if they are served in Maryland; 60 days to answer, if they are served out of this State; and 90 days to answer, if they are served outside the United States. If the person served fails to answer in the time allowed, you may request an Order of Default.
Use this form to certify to the court that documents were mailed or hand delivered to a party in a case.
File and serve a pleading called a defence on the plaintiff within 14 days of the time limited for an appearance. If you have a claim against the plaintiff, you should file and serve a defence and counterclaim instead.
A person who receives a writ of summons must acknowledge it and attend court at the appropriate time and date. Failure to comply with these terms could result in additional penalties against them.
The deadline for most appeals is 30 days from entry of a final judgment or appealable order. Whenever possible, discuss your appeal deadline and appeals process with a lawyer.
Anyone can file criminal charges simply by swearing out a charging document before a commissioner. Maryland law allows individuals to initiate criminal charges through a District Court commissioner.
A pleading shall contain only such statements of fact as may be necessary to show the pleader's entitlement to relief or ground of defense. It shall not include argument, unnecessary recitals of law, evidence, or documents, or any immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.