Ch 653                                    1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article -Family Law
Section 12-103(a) and (b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1991 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

SECTION 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows

Article - Family Law

12-103

(a)     The court may award to either party the costs and counsel fees that are just
and proper under all the circumstances in any case in which a person

(1)     applies for a decree or modification of a decree concerning the custody,
support, or visitation of a child of the parties, or

(2)     files any form of proceeding

(i) to recover arrearages of child support [or]

(ii) to enforce a decree of child support, OR

(III) TO ENFORCE A DECREE OF CUSTODY OR VISITATION

(b)     Before a court may award costs and counsel fees under this section the court
shall consider

(1)     the financial status of each party,

(2)     the needs of each party, and

(3)     whether there was substantial justification for bringing, MAINTAINING,
or defending the proceeding

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1994

Approved May 26, 1994

CHAPTER 653
(House Bill 1267)

AN ACT concerning

Family Law - Marital Property - Valuation of Retirement Benefits

FOR the purpose of providing that a court need not determine the value of certain
retirement benefits in a proceeding for annulment or divorce unless a party has

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