Family court judges encounter heart-wrenching stories every day in family court proceedings. People appear seeking an order to protect them and their children; or assistance obtaining housing, health care coverage or legal representation or services.
AFCC is an organization comprised of judges, lawyers, counselors, social workers and researchers dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. Through research projects, conferences and think tanks conducted by AFCC over time, significant advances have been achieved both in practice and policy.
What is the Family Court?
The Family Court is a specialized court that hears cases related to family and domestic relationships, such as child custody, visitation rights, spousal support payments, orders of protection, adoptions and juvenile delinquency cases.
Additionally, family courts may grant work permits for minors. Family court judges often know the families they serve intimately and this familiarity often results in quicker decisions with less anxiety for all involved.
Family courts also provide mediation as an alternative to going through trial. Furthermore, having a family lawyer help save money by filing the appropriate paperwork and attending your court appearances on your behalf.
What are the Court’s Powers?
Each family division oversees cases related to children, such as custody and visitation (also referred to as parent-child contact). A judge makes their decision based on what will best serve the interests of each child in his or her best interest by taking into consideration factors like health, safety and welfare considerations.
An individual or agency can initiate legal proceedings by filing a petition with a court; in other types of courts this action may also be known as filing a complaint.
An attorney may be appointed by a judge for indigent parties during many Family Court proceedings; some decisions and orders from Family Court can even be appealed up to Supreme Court.
What are the Court’s Responsibilities?
The Court provides various services, such as family law centers that facilitate negotiations without needing court intervention and information about available resources to individuals who can’t afford an attorney.
Child Protective Services hear cases related to child abuse, adoption and juvenile delinquency – but does not handle divorce cases. Their specially-trained judges understand how best to address such sensitive and emotional cases, making this court the most suitable place to resolve conflicts between children and parents.
What is the Court’s Process?
Before rendering its judgment on issues such as divorce, child custody and support arrangements, a court will hear all arguments and evidence presented by both parties involved in an argument or hearing. These hearings usually address matters such as these.
Final orders provide each party with a copy of the judge’s decision and may also choose mediation in their case to speed up proceedings and reduce costs.
Those dissatisfied with a Family Court judge’s ruling can appeal it at higher court levels. A Family Court attorney can assist with filing all of the necessary paperwork and attending hearings on your behalf.
What is the Court’s Goal?
Family Court exists to resolve family-related disputes and issues fairly and impartially; not punishing one party for something they did or didn’t do.
Cases related to children can involve custody and visitation issues as well as child support payments. Courts attempt to make decisions based on what’s best for the children involved, taking into account their health, safety and welfare before reaching decisions.
Family Court also handles cases relating to termination of parental rights and adoptions; there is no initial filing fee when filing initial cases in Family Court.
What is the Court’s Role?
Family court judges have the expertise necessary to handle the delicate legal and social matters that often arise in cases involving children. They understand their emotional impact on these matters as they prioritize children’s needs first and foremost.
They are also responsible for determining custody and visitation arrangements following a divorce or separation, taking many factors into consideration such as each parent’s living arrangements and ability to care for the welfare of their child(ren).
Family court judges can help couples resolve their differences through mediation, which can save both time and money by eliminating the need for court hearings.
What is the Court’s Mission?
The Court’s mission is to resolve legal matters that impact families. This may involve custody and visitation disputes, divorce proceedings, child support payments and domestic violence protection orders as well as adoptions or termination of parental rights.
Family courts often work in collaboration with community resources to offer assistance outside the courtroom for individuals that require assistance. Programs like family law centers provide this kind of help by hiring specialists that help individuals reach mutual agreements without court intervention or settlement conferences.
Many Family Court offices provide support to self-represented litigants by providing them with information, filling out forms, serving others with legal summonses, and providing interpreters when needed.
