Is Family Court a Federal Court?

Although there are a multitude of family laws that are largely specific to family courts, such as divorce, domestic violence, marriage, child support, and custody, issues involving family law and familial stipulations have been heard in Federal Court.

In many cases, family courts are specific to the states in which they are located, and as a result, are under the jurisdiction of that state’s legislature in lieu of an overarching federal legislature. Family law cases involving two individuals are normally heard in family court; not in federal court.

However, in the event of an issue surrounding family law in which the government has been involved can be heard in federal court. In addition, a family law issue in which a verdict is unable to be reached can be moved to federal court. An example of a family law that was heard in federal court was the case of Roe v Wade in 1973, which addressed the legality of aborting a pregnancy.

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