{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-12-103","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 12–103","heading":"","body":"(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:\n(1) applies for a decree or modification of a decree concerning the custody, support, or visitation of a child of the parties; or\n(2) files any form of proceeding:\n(i) to recover arrearages of child support;\n(ii) to enforce a decree of child support; or\n(iii) to enforce a decree of custody or visitation.\n(b) Before a court may award costs and counsel fees under this section, the court shall consider:\n(1) the financial status of each party;\n(2) the needs of each party; and\n(3) whether there was substantial justification for bringing, maintaining, or defending the proceeding.\n(c) Upon a finding by the court that there was an absence of substantial justification of a party for prosecuting or defending the proceeding, and absent a finding by the court of good cause to the contrary, the court shall award to the other party costs and counsel fees.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=12-103","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"df67778c3636908f07aeaa4e6595f0088cf29fd32cbe5e6b473c9ad3d70a5357","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-12-102.3","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-12-104"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}