Publication Date

Winter 11-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Family courts are overwhelmed by rising caseloads, increasing parental conflict, and limited judicial resources. With 80–90% of litigants self-represented (SRLs), case delays and inefficiencies affect all parties, including those with private counsel. High-conflict cases make up 10–30% of dockets, consuming judicial time and worsening outcomes for families, especially children. This article explores the Family Court Services Portal, a technology-driven triage tool designed to streamline family case processing, improve access to justice, and help courts allocate re- sources effectively. The portal integrates pre-screening triage automation, guiding parties through structured issue identification to support proportional judicial intervention and informed case management. Developed through a multi-jurisdictional collaboration, the portal is informed by extensive field testing and expert in- put. Experts developed the questions and the logic for questions that detect levels of conflict, case complexity, the presence of intimate partner violence, and potential lethality. These questions have been applied and validated internationally. The project also included a usability study to assess accessibility and effectiveness for courts and litigants, as well as a national testing sprint focused court effectiveness.

For attorneys, this initiative enhances case predictability, reduces docket congestion, and ensures that complex cases receive appropriate judicial attention. With more efficient SRL case processing, attorneys benefit from faster case scheduling and resolution, along with more judicial focus for complex or high-resource matters.

The Family Court Services Portal represents a scalable model for modernizing family court caseflow. This article outlines how courts, attorneys, and legal technologists are working together to modernize family case management to promote access to justice and effective family law practice.

Publication Title

The Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Volume

38

Issue

1

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