Joint Committee Approves Senator Leno´s Family Court Audit Request
California Political Desk
July 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Joint Legislative Audit Committee late yesterday approved a request from Senator Mark Leno to audit and evaluate the California Family Court system and its use of court appointees in child custody disputes.
The 14-member Committee approved the audit request with a 12-0 bipartisan vote, authorizing the California State Auditor to investigate and report on family courts in the counties of Marin and Sacramento. Senator Leno (D-San Francisco) requested the audit based on concerns that the Family Court system´s use of court appointees to make decisions in contested child custody and visitation cases may lead to outcomes that are not in the best interests of the children involved.
"For many years litigants from Family Court have argued that the system needs improvement and does not adequately serve the needs of California´s children and families," said Senator Leno. "After personally meeting with litigants and hearing their stories, I am convinced an audit would bring clarity to these concerns and identify any issues the Legislature may need to address."
The Superior Court judges assigned to family courts in all of the state´s 58 counties rely on court appointees to assist them in making decisions regarding child custody and visitation. Those appointees include mediators, evaluators, investigators, minor´s counsel, special masters, therapists and co-parenting counselors. Their work and recommendations carry great weight and are frequently adopted by the courts.
"We applaud Senator Leno's leadership in addressing the concerns of parents, grandparents and other family members who are frustrated and disappointed with the family law court," said Kathleen Russell of the Center for Judicial Excellence. "Our hope is that the audit shines some light on the court´s processes for settling disputes and helps ensure that children are protected."
While a date has not been set for the Family Court audit to begin, the audit is expected to take about four months to complete once it starts.
The 14-member Committee approved the audit request with a 12-0 bipartisan vote, authorizing the California State Auditor to investigate and report on family courts in the counties of Marin and Sacramento. Senator Leno (D-San Francisco) requested the audit based on concerns that the Family Court system´s use of court appointees to make decisions in contested child custody and visitation cases may lead to outcomes that are not in the best interests of the children involved.
"For many years litigants from Family Court have argued that the system needs improvement and does not adequately serve the needs of California´s children and families," said Senator Leno. "After personally meeting with litigants and hearing their stories, I am convinced an audit would bring clarity to these concerns and identify any issues the Legislature may need to address."
The Superior Court judges assigned to family courts in all of the state´s 58 counties rely on court appointees to assist them in making decisions regarding child custody and visitation. Those appointees include mediators, evaluators, investigators, minor´s counsel, special masters, therapists and co-parenting counselors. Their work and recommendations carry great weight and are frequently adopted by the courts.
"We applaud Senator Leno's leadership in addressing the concerns of parents, grandparents and other family members who are frustrated and disappointed with the family law court," said Kathleen Russell of the Center for Judicial Excellence. "Our hope is that the audit shines some light on the court´s processes for settling disputes and helps ensure that children are protected."
While a date has not been set for the Family Court audit to begin, the audit is expected to take about four months to complete once it starts.
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