Md. Rule 11-319 (2026)

(a) Dockets. The court shall keep a separate docket for guardianship proceedings, which shall be shielded from public inspection.

(b) Shielding and Sealing of Records.

(1) Shielding of Records. All pleadings and other papers in guardianship proceedings shall be shielded from public inspection when they are filed.

Cross reference: See Rule 16-914 (a) requiring denial of public inspection of case records in actions for guardianship filed under this Chapter and Rule 20-109 concerning remote access.

(2) Sealing of Records. The case file shall be sealed and not open to inspection by any person, including a parent, upon the later of (A) 30 days after the guardianship action is closed, or (B) if an appeal is taken, dismissal of the appeal or exhaustion of appellate review.

Cross reference: See Code, Family Law Article, § 5-328 and Rule 11-318 concerning termination of guardianship proceedings and a court order closing the guardianship action.

(3) Inspection of Sealed Records. Sealed records of guardianship proceedings shall remain sealed and not be open to inspection except upon order of court.

Cross reference: See Code, Family Law Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3, Part V concerning access to records relating to an adoptee.

Source: This Rule is derived from Rule 9-112 and is in part new.

Credits

[Adopted Nov. 9, 2021, eff. Jan. 1, 2022. Amended and eff. May 8, 2023; Nov. 17, 2023, eff. Nov. 20, 2023.]