Each state may have different names for their family court. In addition, each state may have different family laws and may promote different outcomes because they only hear certain types of cases.
For example, Arizona's family laws are handled in Conciliation Court. In Arizona, the Conciliation Court, a division of the state's Superior Court, hears cases that relate to marriage and issues of paternity.
Michigan's family courts focus on a special program for divorcing families, rather than simply answering cases. SMILE, or Start Making It Livable for Everyone, is a program that was established to help all members of a family that are going through the divorce process. In fact, the program will continue to help families after divorce.
Some states have family courts in each region or county and those courts are generally required to offer similar outcomes across the state. For example, New Jersey and New York organize family law courts by region and county. Each state's family laws are addressed differently, and the outcome of family law cases will certainly vary by state. If you need legal advice and assistance, contact family lawyers.
In South Carolina, family law is handled in a uniform family court system across the state. In fact, those courts were established by a state statue in the seventies. In South Carolina, family courts decide all cases that pertain to familial or domestic relationships. Couples that are dating and experience abuse, would have their case heard in family court. All family law cases are heard in family court in South Carolina.
While cases involve such simple issues as name change, they also include issues relating to juveniles that are accused of committing crimes. However, some juvenile issues will still be tried in criminal courts. These violations include, traffic violations and environmental violations such as hunting and fishing violations.
There are states that have no family court per say. For example, Virginia has a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court which handles many cases that relate to family laws. However, unlike many other states, divorces and other cases involving property, are heard in the state's circuit courts. Conversely, in Washington state, Superior Courts hear all family law cases, or cases involving domestic relations.
Each state handles family law cases differently. However, every state has a system for dealing with issues that involve family laws. In fact, any state's law are uniform across the state. Therefore, family members that all reside in one state experience similar outcomes from the courts.
However, two juveniles that commit the same crime in two different states may have very different court experiences and are likely to encounter different outcomes based on where their case is heard. However, each state has a focus on family laws that strives to provide the best outcome for all family members.
In fact, courts generally decide family law cases in favor of the best interest of any children involved. For example, in a divorce, judges are likely to consider only the best interest of the children when deciding issues of custody. Family courts focus on the ability to provide a fair outcome while simultaneously upholding family law and maintaining the institution of family.
NEXT: Is Family Court a Federal Court?