reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1012 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice|Section 5-1012 - Answer

    (a)    At any time before the case is called for trial, the defendant may file a written answer to the complaint.    (b)    The answer need not be in any particular form.    (c)    The court shall enter a general denial of the complaint on behalf of the defendant if the defendant does not:        (1)    file a written answer; or        (2)    admit the material allegations of the complaint in open court.    (d)    To ensure that the defendant understands the nature and substance of the complaint, the court shall read or explain the complaint to the defendant if the defendant:        (1)    appears for trial without filing a written answer; or        (2)    files a written answer admitting the complaint and is not represented by counsel.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1013 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice|Section 5-1013 - Party Under Legal Disability

    (a)    A party under legal disability need not proceed by guardian, committee, or next friend or defend by guardian ad litem, committee, or court-appointed counsel under this subtitle.    (b)    Any proceeding under this subtitle by or against a party under legal disability and any action taken by counsel on behalf of a party under legal disability is binding on that party as if that party were not under legal disability.    (c)    Any person who has knowledge of a party’s legal disability shall advise the court of that disability. This duty to advise the court applies particularly to the counsel for the parties.    (d)    The court may take any action and order any proceedings that the court considers just and proper to protect the rights of a party under legal disability.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1014 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice|Section 5-1014 - Warrant; Summons; Bond

    (a)    When a complaint is filed under this subtitle, the court may issue, to assure the appearance of the defendant at trial:        (1)    a summons for the appearance of the defendant; or        (2)    a warrant for the arrest of the defendant.    (b)    (1)    The summons shall state the time and place for the defendant to appear at trial.        (2)    If the defendant fails to appear as directed in the summons, the court may issue, at any time, a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.    (c)    The arrest warrant shall direct any officer of this State who is authorized to execute warrants to bring the defendant before the court to answer and have the matters in the complaint adjudicated.    (d)    (1)    If a defendant is arrested under a warrant, the defendant shall be taken before:            (i)    the court that issued the warrant; or            (ii)    a commissioner of the District Court.        (2)    The court or commissioner shall set bond for the defendant. The bond shall be conditioned on:            (i)    the defendant’s appearance in the issuing court on the date and at the time specified in the warrant; and            (ii)    the defendant’s obedience to any order of the court in the proceedings.        (3)    The court or commissioner may require on the bond the securities or sureties the court or the commissioner considers appropriate.        (4)    If the defendant does not give bond, the court or commissioner shall order the defendant imprisoned in the city or county jail until bond is given or until the issuing court discharges the defendant.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1015 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice|Section 5-1015 - Service or Execution of Process

    Process under this subtitle shall be served or executed in the way provided by law or rule of court for service on a person who is not under a legal disability.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1016 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice|Section 5-1016 - Voluntary Support Agreement

    (a)    (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)    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 attorney for the Administration 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)    If the court approves the settlement agreement, the terms of the agreement shall be incorporated in a court order.    (d)    A court order incorporating a settlement agreement is as enforceable as any order that is passed after a hearing.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1019 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part IV - Pretrial Inquiry by State's Attorney|Section 5-1019 - Powers of State's Attorney

    (a)    This section applies only to jurisdictions in which the Administration is represented by a State’s Attorney.    (b)    Before or after a complaint is filed under this subtitle, the State’s Attorney may hold a pretrial inquiry.    (c)    In connection with any pretrial inquiry under this section, the State’s Attorney may:        (1)    issue a summons that requires a person, other than the alleged father, to appear, to testify, and to produce documents connected with the examination;        (2)    administer oaths;        (3)    examine witnesses; and        (4)    receive evidence.    (d)    (1)    If a person fails to obey a summons, or fails to testify or comply with a request of the State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney may request the circuit court for the county to order the person:            (i)    to obey the summons;            (ii)    to testify; or            (iii)    to produce any document that the court considers necessary for the inquiry.        (2)    If a person fails or refuses to obey the order of court after the order has been served, the person is in contempt of court and the court may punish the person for the contempt.        (3)    A finding of contempt under this subsection is subject to appeal.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1020 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part IV - Pretrial Inquiry by State's Attorney|Section 5-1020 - Notice to Alleged Father

    (a)    This section applies only to jurisdictions in which the Administration is represented by a State’s Attorney.    (b)    Before the State’s Attorney conducts a pretrial inquiry under this subtitle, the State’s Attorney shall notify the parties in writing of:        (1)    the time and place of the inquiry;        (2)    the alleged father’s right to appear at the inquiry and to produce evidence or information that relates to the inquiry; and        (3)    the alleged father’s right to testify in his own behalf before the State’s Attorney, if the alleged father:            (i)    notifies the State’s Attorney of the alleged father’s desire to testify; and            (ii)    signs a waiver that permits his testimony to be used against him in the paternity proceeding.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1021 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part IV - Pretrial Inquiry by State's Attorney|Section 5-1021 - Blood Test

    (a)    The attorney for the Administration may request any individual named in a paternity complaint to submit to a blood or genetic test.    (b)    If the individual refuses the attorney for the Administration’s request to submit to a blood or genetic test, the attorney for the Administration may apply to the circuit court for an order that directs the individual to submit to the test.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1024 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part V - Hearing on Complaint|Section 5-1024 - Failure of Defendant to Appear

    (a)    If a defendant fails to appear after being summoned or after giving bond as required by § 5-1014 of this subtitle, the court, in the absence of the defendant, shall, unless there is good cause to the contrary:        (1)    proceed with the hearing on the complaint; and        (2)    (i)    issue a default judgment adjudicating paternity if the court is satisfied by the evidence presented by the petitioner; or            (ii)    pass any other order that is just and proper.    (b)    Any order passed under subsection (a) of this section shall be binding on and enforceable against the defendant as if the defendant were present at the hearing.    (c)    If a defendant fails to appear after being summoned or after giving bond as required by § 5-1014 of this subtitle, bond shall be forfeited and applied to the payment of any obligation imposed by an order passed in the proceeding.    (d)    If a defendant fails to appear after being properly summoned or after giving bond as required by § 5-1014 of this subtitle, the defendant remains subject to arrest and whatever other disposition the court may order.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1025 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part V - Hearing on Complaint|Section 5-1025 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child

    (a)    The trial may not be held until after the birth of the child who is the subject of the proceeding.    (b)    If a complaint is filed before the birth of the child, then, until the trial is held, the court may:        (1)    order the alleged father or the pregnant woman to give bond, as provided in § 5-1014 of this subtitle, conditioned on the party:            (i)    appearing in the proceeding; and            (ii)    complying with any further orders of the court;        (2)    increase or decrease any bond previously given by the alleged father or the pregnant woman; and        (3)    conduct any other preliminary proceeding that the court considers just and proper.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1026 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part V - Hearing on Complaint|Section 5-1026 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child -- Procedure

    (a)    The court shall hear the complaint without a jury.    (b)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, proceedings under this subtitle shall be treated in accordance with the laws, rules, and practice that relate to trials in other civil cases.    (c)    In a trial under this subtitle, no comment on or reference to an alleged father’s failure to testify may be made or permitted.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1027 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part V - Hearing on Complaint|Section 5-1027 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child -- Burden of Proof; Presumptions; Testimony

    (a)    At the trial, the burden is on the complainant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the alleged father is the father of the child.    (b)    Both the mother and the alleged father are competent to testify at the trial.    (c)    The provisions of Title 1, Subtitle 2 of the Estates and Trusts Article regarding presumptions of parentage apply in an action under this subtitle.    (d)    The alleged father may not be compelled to give evidence at the trial.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1032 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1032 - Declaration of Paternity; Support by Father

    (a)    If the court finds that the alleged father is the father, the court shall pass an order that:        (1)    declares the alleged father to be the father of the child; and        (2)    provides for the support of the child.    (b)    (1)    The father shall pay the sum to be specified in the order until the first to occur of the following events:            (i)    the child becomes an adult;            (ii)    the child dies;            (iii)    the child marries; or            (iv)    the child becomes self-supporting.        (2)    If the child is an adult but is destitute and cannot be self-supporting because of a physical or mental infirmity, the court may require the father to continue to pay support during the period of the infirmity.    (c)    Any money that is due for child support under this subtitle and is unpaid at the time the child becomes an adult, dies, marries, or becomes self-supporting is a continuing obligation of any party bound by the order of court until the money is paid.    (d)    The court shall pass an immediate and continuing withholding order on earnings of the father in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1, Part III of this article.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1033 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1033 - Support by Either Parent; Hospital, Funeral, and Legal Expenses

    (a)    In a paternity proceeding, the court may order the father or the mother to pay all or part of any 1 or more of the following:        (1)    the support of the child;        (2)    the mother’s medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery; and        (3)    the funeral expenses of the child.    (b)    Subject to the right of any party to subpoena a custodian of records at least 10 days before trial, any records relating to the cost of the mother’s medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery and any neonatal expenses of the child shall be admissible in evidence without the presence of a custodian of records and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amount of expenses incurred.    (c)    The court in a paternity proceeding may order the father to pay either or both of the following:        (1)    all or part of the medical support of the child, including neonatal expenses; and        (2)    counsel fees to the counsel who represents the complainant.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1034 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1034 - To Whom Payment Made

    (a)    The court may direct that any payment ordered under this subtitle be made to the mother or any other person.    (b)    If the child is, or is likely to become, a public charge, the court may order any payment ordered under this subtitle to be made to the appropriate support enforcement agency for the support of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1035 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1035 - Miscellaneous Provisions in Order

    (a)    In an order passed under this subtitle, the court may include a provision, directed to any party, regarding:        (1)    custody of the child;        (2)    visitation privileges with the child;        (3)    giving bond; or        (4)    any other matter that is related to the general welfare and best interests of the child.    (b)    In an order passed under this subtitle, the court may order any party:        (1)    to remain in this State; or        (2)    to report to the court any change of address.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1036 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1036 - Costs

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, the court may award costs under this subtitle in accordance with the Maryland Rules.    (b)    The court may order all or part of the costs to be paid by the county where the proceeding is instituted.    (c)    The court may order any party to pay the costs of the proceeding.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1037 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1037 - Notice

    The court may not enter an order under this subtitle against a party unless the party is given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1038 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1038 - Finality; Modification

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a declaration of paternity in an order is final.        (2)    (i)    A declaration of paternity may be modified or set aside:                1.    in the manner and to the extent that any order or decree of an equity court is subject to the revisory power of the court under any law, rule, or established principle of practice and procedure in equity; or                2.    if a blood or genetic test done in accordance with § 5-1029 of this subtitle establishes the exclusion of the individual named as the father in the order.            (ii)    Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, a declaration of paternity may not be modified or set aside if the individual named in the order acknowledged paternity knowing he was not the father.    (b)    Except for a declaration of paternity, the court may modify or set aside any order or part of an order under this subtitle as the court considers just and proper in light of the circumstances and in the best interests of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1039 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1039 - Finding for Alleged Father

    (a)    If the court finds that the alleged father is not the father, the court may:        (1)    retain jurisdiction; and        (2)    on its own motion or otherwise, take any further proceeding that the court considers just and proper and in the best interests of the child.    (b)    Under this section, the court may:        (1)    enter an appropriate order against the mother for the support of the child;        (2)    allow the impleader or joinder of any other alleged father; or        (3)    consider any other matter that may be in the best interests of the child.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1040 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1040 - Sealing of Papers

    (a)    On completion of a paternity proceeding, the court may order the clerk of court:        (1)    to seal all papers in the case; and        (2)    not to open any papers in the case, except on order of the court.    (b)    In any further proceeding under § 5-1038 of this subtitle on support payments or custody, the papers in the case, once ordered sealed, shall remain sealed unless the court orders otherwise.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1041 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1041 - Enforcement of Order

    (a)    A court order under this subtitle is enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as any other order of an equity court in this State.    (b)    If an individual fails to make a support payment ordered under this subtitle, the individual shall be served with an order that directs the individual to show cause why that individual should not be held in contempt.    (c)    (1)    The court shall issue a warrant for the arrest of any individual who:            (i)    fails to appear in response to a show–cause order served on the individual under this section; or            (ii)    cannot be served with the show–cause order.        (2)    A warrant issued under this subsection shall be issued as provided in § 5–1014 of this subtitle.    (d)    If the court finds that an individual has failed to make a support payment ordered under this subtitle while having the means to pay, the court:        (1)    shall find the individual guilty of civil contempt; and        (2)    may order the individual imprisoned until the individual complies with the support order or otherwise purges the contempt.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1042 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1042 - Bond to Comply With Order

    (a)    In a paternity proceeding, the court may order that either or both of the parents of the child give bond in the form and penalty the court directs, with or without securities.    (b)    The bond to be given by a parent shall be conditioned on:        (1)    the performance of all provisions of the order and any subsequent modification to the order;        (2)    the parent not leaving this State without the court’s permission; and        (3)    the parent not changing address within this State without giving proper notice to a support enforcement officer or other person the court designates.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1044 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VI - Court Order|Section 5-1044 - Right of Appeal

    A party has the right to appeal from an order under this subtitle to the Court of Special Appeals, as provided in Title 12, Subtitle 3 of the Courts Article.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1047 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VII - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 5-1047 - Paternity Docket

    (a)    The clerk of the circuit court shall keep a docket known as the “paternity docket”.    (b)    The paternity docket shall contain the records, proceedings, and orders that relate to each case brought under this subtitle.
MD. Family Law Code Ann. §  5-1048 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Family Law|Title 5 - Children|Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings|Part VII - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 5-1048 - Out-of-State Adjudication

    A finding of paternity established in any other state shall have the same force and effect in a proceeding under this subtitle as in any other civil proceeding in this State if:         (1)    with respect to an adjudication of paternity, the finding was established by a court or by an administrative process that includes a right to appeal to a court; or        (2)    with respect to a finding of paternity that is based on an affidavit of parentage, the affidavit was signed after each signatory to the affidavit was advised of their legal rights.