Family law covers a wide range of legal issues involving children and marriage, and a family law judge is the one that presides over these cases. They may hear cases that are related to child custody, divorce, termination of a parent’s rights, and questionable paternity. They may also decide monetary matters for those that have cases in family law. For example, a family law judge may decide whether to grant child or spousal support and the total that should be given. In some courts, the judge may preside over cases of child neglect and abuse.
Such a judge applies the law in their jurisdiction to the parties that appear before them in court, including the families and attorney. The judge will preside over hearings, trials, and makes the decisions in accordance to the law and are fair. Before they hand down their ruling, the judge will usually listen to each side of the case. They listen to other witnesses if there are any and the statement of the parties that are involved in the case.
Sometimes the judge will as a referee when they hear cases in their court. For example, if the attorneys have a dispute between them the judge will take the necessary steps to settle the dispute. The judge will work to quell outbursts and to make sure that court proceedings are following a satisfactory order. Another example is if a party in a custody case wants to submit a notebook for evidence the judge will be the one to decide if the notebook can be submitted as evidence. They will also decide how the new evidence should be handled.
Every jurisdiction has their own standard regulations and rules for handing cases in family law. In some situations, the judge may have to make a ruling in a case when there are no set standards to follow. If this is the case, the judge may have the power to establish the standards to be used as long as they are within the laws of the jurisdiction. The judge in family law cases is charged with making some decisions that are life altering. They will often have to decide whether or not to grant a couple a divorce, which of the parents should have custody, how much child support is to be paid, and more.
In addition to duties in court, a family law judge also has other duties outside of the courtroom. These duties can include doing legal research and reviewing legal documents in their office. Sometimes they will meet with both attorneys in a hearing instead of in a courtroom. A family law judge also supervises court personnel.
A judge in family court is appointed or elected.
