Helpful Resources for Courts Drowning in Domestic Relations Cases

Judges with domestic relations jurisdiction are well aware of the time and resources required to manage family law caseloads, particularly the ever-increasing numbers of cases in which the parties appear without lawyers. This article discusses some resources which are available to help courts manage domestic relations caseload and improve outcomes for litigants.
Since 2003, courts [...]

ADR Questions: New Supreme Court Video Provides Answers

Child custody and support issues associated with divorce and paternity cases almost always generate emotional upheaval.  The traditional adversarial court process far too often only serves to fan the flames of these emotions by focusing on one party emerging as the “winner.”  Judicial officers who work in these areas know that separating families into winners [...]

Family Court Project Surveys Elder Law Issues

According to the United States Census Bureau 2000 census, approximately 12% of this country’s population is age 65 or older. Between 1946 and 1964, 77 million babies were born in the United States. These children are known as the “Baby Boomer” generation, and by the year 2011, the oldest of the baby boomer generation will [...]

Self Help Video for Litigants Without Lawyers

The future of your family life is at risk. A considerable portion of your wealth is up for grabs. You are in a completely unfamiliar arena where your fate will be decided by people you don’t know and who know nothing about you.
That’s the scenario faced by many citizens who go into court on a [...]

Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law Cases

Judge Elizabeth Tavitas presides in Lake County Superior Court Civil Division 3 where she partners with magistrates and family law attorneys to help parents spend less time in court and more time focused on their children and areas of agreement.
Across Indiana, courts are embracing cooperative parenting and Alternative Dispute Resolution programs to give litigants the [...]