Family Division

Courthouse, Room M0415
(301) 780-8000

The Family Division consists of six masters and approximately 60 staff members. Four masters hear cases that will take three hours or less, involving issues of divorce, custody, alimony, child support, establishment, modification, contempt, visitation, property and paternity.

One master hears only issues involving child support that are covered under a federal child support grant. One master hears juvenile delinquency arraignments, detention and restitution hearings, and hearings for children in need of assistance (dependent and neglected). Seven judges are assigned to the Family Division, one of which is primarily assigned to consider juvenile delinquency matters.

The Director of the Family Division, Lionel Moore is responsible for administration of the Family Division staff and the overall functioning of the Division. The Honorable Julia B. Weatherly, Coordinating Judge for the Family Division, has primary responsibility for assuring that the policies of the Seventh Judicial Administrative Judge and the Bench are communicated to the Family Division. The Coordinating Judge also serves as liaison with various agencies and the Bar.