We previously introduced you to the Elkins Family Law Task Force, a committee established by the Judicial Counsel of California to improve the efficiency of the California Family Law Courts. The Task Force set out to review the system as it is and has followed up with a series of recommendations for improvement.
Much of these improvements have to do with implementing “More effective child custody procedures for a better court experience for families and children” (from the Report to the Judicial Counsel). More specifically the Task Force seeks to:
- Improve educational programs and professional development opportunities for judicial officers to more effectively address the needs of California children.
- Improve funding for child custody mediation services that result in more time for mediators to work with families.
- Allow for confidential mediation sessions giving parents more freedom to speak openly.
- Make it easier for parents to communicate with the judge about their parenting plan (could include additional forms).
- Create better defined roles of child custody evaluators and investigators.
- Make it so courts can choose to allow a minor’s participation in a divorce on a case-by-case basis. If a child needs his or her own counsel, courts should monitor the bills and cap fees, if appropriate.
- Demand that Child Welfare Services expeditiously investigate all situations of alleged child abuse and neglect, even if a parent has not filed an action with the court.
- Put cases that include physical and sexual child abuse allegations on a fast track bringing in mediators, investigators, and judicial offers right away to ensure child safety.
- Reduce number of children interviews to one, which will minimize the child’s participation in the case.
- Create new legislation to allow the family court’s access to reports and information relating to investigations completed by California Protective Services that does not interfere with due process or privacy rights.