By Elena Durnbaugh
Gongwer News Service
Michigan courts need a better system for family law, the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Section said in a press release on Monday.
“Right now, Michigan’s family court system isn’t fully meeting the needs of the families it serves,” Donald Wheaton, chair of the family law section said in a statement. “Frequent judicial rotations create delays and inconsistencies, making an already difficult process harder for parents and children.”
The organization praised HB 5445, sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, as important legislation that will help families navigate complicated legal matters including custody, divorce and child welfare cases and lead to more consistent, informed and timely rulings.
“Many times, right now, and this is in all sections of the judiciary, some of the judges are taking on cases they shouldn’t be taking on,” Wozniak said in an interview with Gongwer News Service on Monday. “What we’re trying to do is consolidate the rules to establish a family court, make sure the judges are trained and they have a list of priorities.”
The legislation would provide a dedicated family division bench, would require a single judge to oversee all legal matters for a family and would require judges handling family cases to have relevant experience or complete specialized training.
“We come out with a lot better jurisprudence so that everyone across the state gets a lot better treatment,” Wozniak said. “What’s in the best interest of the child. That has to be kept at the forefront.”
The proposal is similar to the legislation that created Michigan’s successful Business Court system, which assigns cases to judges with specialized knowledge of business law.
Wozniak said he’s received some pushback about what the cost may be, but he said he didn’t foresee a financial impact on the court, as judges could work cases on more than one docket.
“Family court gets assimilated into the judicial system as it exists,” he said.
The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
Gongwer News Service
Michigan courts need a better system for family law, the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Section said in a press release on Monday.
“Right now, Michigan’s family court system isn’t fully meeting the needs of the families it serves,” Donald Wheaton, chair of the family law section said in a statement. “Frequent judicial rotations create delays and inconsistencies, making an already difficult process harder for parents and children.”
The organization praised HB 5445, sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, as important legislation that will help families navigate complicated legal matters including custody, divorce and child welfare cases and lead to more consistent, informed and timely rulings.
“Many times, right now, and this is in all sections of the judiciary, some of the judges are taking on cases they shouldn’t be taking on,” Wozniak said in an interview with Gongwer News Service on Monday. “What we’re trying to do is consolidate the rules to establish a family court, make sure the judges are trained and they have a list of priorities.”
The legislation would provide a dedicated family division bench, would require a single judge to oversee all legal matters for a family and would require judges handling family cases to have relevant experience or complete specialized training.
“We come out with a lot better jurisprudence so that everyone across the state gets a lot better treatment,” Wozniak said. “What’s in the best interest of the child. That has to be kept at the forefront.”
The proposal is similar to the legislation that created Michigan’s successful Business Court system, which assigns cases to judges with specialized knowledge of business law.
Wozniak said he’s received some pushback about what the cost may be, but he said he didn’t foresee a financial impact on the court, as judges could work cases on more than one docket.
“Family court gets assimilated into the judicial system as it exists,” he said.
The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
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