2040

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

The phrase "who is not under a legal disability" is
substituted for the former phrase "sui juris", for
clarity.

5-1016. VOLUNTARY SUPPORT AGREEMENT.

(A)  SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS.

(1)  BEFORE OR AFTER THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT, THE
ALLEGED FATHER MAY PROPOSE A SETTLEMENT CONCERNING THE CHILD'S
SUPPORT WHETHER THE ALLEGED FATHER ADMITS OR DENIES PATERNITY.

(2)  THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTION MAY BE IN A LUMP SUM,
INSTALLMENTS, OR OTHERWISE.

(B)  CONDITIONS FOR SETTLEMENT.

A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE PREPARED, EXECUTED, AND
SUBMITTED TO THE COURT FOR APPROVAL IF:

(1)  THE COMPLAINANT AGREES TO ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENT;

(2)  THE STATE'S ATTORNEY IS SATISFIED THAT THE AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE;

(3)  THE COMPLAINANT HAS BEEN ADVISED PROPERLY
REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THE SETTLEMENT; AND

(4)  THE COMPLAINANT IS COMPETENT TO ACCEPT THE
SETTLEMENT.

(C)  INCORPORATION IN ORDER.

IF THE COURT APPROVES THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, THE TERMS OF
THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE INCORPORATED IN A COURT ORDER.

(D)  EFFECT OF ORDER.

A COURT ORDER INCORPORATING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IS AS
ENFORCEABLE AS ANY ORDER THAT IS PASSED AFTER A HEARING.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 16, §§
66D(c) and 66L.

In subsection (b)(3) of this section, the phrase
"regarding the contents of the settlement" is
substituted for the former phrase "in the premises",
for clarity.

In subsection (d) of this section, the phrase "as
enforceable as any order" is substituted for the
former phrase "enforceable in all respects and to the
same extent as any other order", for brevity.