Ch. 667

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

THE OBLIGOR'S ADDRESS FROM EMPLOYERS, AND EXAMINATION OF
GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS, INCLUDING, TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY
OTHER LAW, THOSE RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY, VITAL STATISTICS, LAW
ENFORCEMENT, TAXATION, MOTOR VEHICLES, DRIVERS' LICENSES, AND SOCIAL
SECURITY.

10-320. PLEADINGS AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.

(A)    A PLAINTIFF SEEKING TO ESTABLISH OR MODIFY A SUPPORT ORDER OR
TO DETERMINE PARENTAGE IN A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS SUBTITLE MUST
VERIFY THE COMPLAINT. UNLESS OTHERWISE ORDERED UNDER § 10-321 OF THIS
SUBTITLE (NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES),
THE PLAINTIFF OR ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS MUST PROVIDE, SO FAR AS
KNOWN, THE NAME, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OF
THE OBLIGOR AND THE OBLIGEE AND THE NAME, SEX, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND DATE OF BIRTH OF EACH CHILD FOR WHOM
SUPPORT IS SOUGHT. THE COMPLAINT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFIED
COPY OF ANY SUPPORT ORDER IN EFFECT. THE COMPLAINT MAY INCLUDE ANY
OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY ASSIST IN LOCATING OR IDENTIFYING THE
DEFENDANT.

(B)     THE COMPLAINT MUST SPECIFY THE RELIEF SOUGHT. THE COMPLAINT
AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS MUST CONFORM SUBSTANTIALLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE FORMS MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW FOR USE IN
CASES FILED BY A SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

10-321. NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

UPON A FINDING, WHICH MAY BE MADE EX PARTE, THAT THE HEALTH,
SAFETY, OR LIBERTY OF A PARTY OR CHILD WOULD BE UNREASONABLY PUT AT
RISK BY THE DISCLOSURE OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, OR IF AN EXISTING
ORDER SO PROVIDES, A TRIBUNAL SHALL ORDER THAT THE ADDRESS OF THE
CHILD OR PARTY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION NOT BE DISCLOSED IN A
PLEADING OR OTHER DOCUMENT FILED IN A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS SUBTITLE

10-322. COST AND FEES.

(A)    THE PLAINTIFF MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY A FILING FEE OR OTHER
COSTS.

(B)     IF AN OBLIGEE PREVAILS, A RESPONDING TRIBUNAL MAY ASSESS
AGAINST AN OBLIGOR FILING FEES, REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES, OTHER COSTS,
AND NECESSARY TRAVEL AND OTHER REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE
OBLIGEE AND THE OBLIGEE'S WITNESSES. THE TRIBUNAL MAY NOT ASSESS FEES,
COSTS, OR EXPENSES AGAINST THE OBLIGEE OR THE SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY OF EITHER THE INITIATING OR THE RESPONDING STATE, EXCEPT AS
PROVIDED BY OTHER LAW. ATTORNEY'S FEES MAY BE TAXED AS COSTS, AND MAY
BE ORDERED PAID DIRECTLY TO THE ATTORNEY, WHO MAY ENFORCE THE ORDER
IN THE ATTORNEY'S OWN NAME. PAYMENT OF SUPPORT OWED TO THE OBLIGEE
HAS PRIORITY OVER FEES, COSTS, AND EXPENSES.

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