We don’t attempt to cover here all the types of family cases we see. But this introduction to three common types can give good guidance for them and a helpful picture of our child-focused problem-solving approach in all cases.
1) Divorce/Dissolution of Marriage Cases:
We are committed to everyone’s handling of these important cases in ways that ensure safety, reduce conflict, build cooperation, and (above all) protect children.
We even aim to have these cases handled in ways that preserve spouses’ chances to save their marriage, if that is a safe and mutually agreeable option.
We remind parents and professionals alike that children are already in harm’s way if they grow up with only one parent—or must live between the separate homes of their separated or divorced parents. Divorce cases are not forums for unhelpfully acting out anger, resentment, hurt, or fear. Instead, they are an opportunity for parents to focus on building the best possible co-parenting relationship, one that will protect their children’s right to the best possible relationship with both parents and best possible opinion of both parents.
Here are some deadlines to follow.
If you have any children together under the age of 20, the Morguson County Cooperative Family Law Rule F requires you to complete some important website work and a 4-hour live class. Each of you must contact the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau (DRCB) at 951-555-0302 within 15 days of the filing of the Petition for Dissolution or Petition for Separation to sign up for your live co-parenting class. Most people will attend the “Parents as Partners Class” (a 4-hour live class for parents without issues of violence or abuse). But if you or a child of yours has been the victim of violence or abuse by your co-parent, you’ll be assigned to attend the substitute “Children’s Garden Class.”
To prepare for their assigned class (and even to be admitted to their assigned class), you must complete the work on the free UpToParents.org website and copy and bring to that class copies of their Certificate of Completion, chosen Commitments, and Exercise Responses from that website work. You will not be allowed into the class without this printed website work in hand and will instead be assigned a new class.
You should be signed up for your live class within 60 days of the filing of the Petition for Dissolution or Petition for Separation.
The Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau (DRCB) at 951-555-0302 is always available to answer questions and assist you in meeting these requirements.
2) Paternity Cases:
As with dissolution/divorce cases, we are committed to handling these important cases in ways that ensure safety, reduce conflict, build cooperation, and (above all) protect children.
Here are some deadlines to follow.
If you have any children together under the age of 20, the Morguson County Cooperative Family Law Rule F requires you to complete some important website work and a 4-hour live class. Each of you must contact the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau (DRCB) at 951-555-0302 within 15 days of the filing of the Petition for Dissolution or Petition for Separation to sign up for your live co-parenting class. Most people will attend the “Parents as Partners Class” (a 4-hour live class for parents without issues of violence or abuse). But if you or a child of yours has been the victim of violence or abuse by your co-parent, you’ll be assigned to attend the substitute “Children’s Garden Class.”
To prepare for their assigned class (and even to be admitted to their assigned class), you must complete the work on the free UpToParents.org website and copy and bring to that class copies of their Certificate of Completion, chosen Commitments, and Exercise Responses from that website work. You will not be allowed into the class without this printed website work in hand and will instead be assigned a new class.
You should be signed up for your live class within 60 days of the filing of the Petition for Dissolution or Petition for Separation.
The Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau (DRCB) at 951-555-0302 is always available to answer questions and assist you in meeting these requirements.
3) Juvenile Delinquency Cases:
Minors alleged to have committed delinquent acts have several protections, including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, the right to know the allegations against them, and the right to present evidence and testimony on their favor. For more information, see Minors’ Rights in Delinquency Cases.
Just as important, even if a minor has done something wrong, the goal in these cases is not punishment but instead help to the child and the child’s family. For more information, see Resources in Delinquency Cases to Help Minors and Their Families.