Question Posed to Authors Bill Eddy and Judge Román Regarding Budget Issues in our Family Courts

Question from the Editor: With the budget issues in Family Court and issues raised by Mr. Bill Eddy (article published in the FLN Issue 4, 2013, that you commented on), is there anything you believe individual practitioners, law firms and corporations can do to contribute and aid in the efforts needed to help us out of the crisis discussed by many, as the budget seems to be at its core?

The Honorable Judge Román’s response:

I start with the fact that 74% of the population appearing in family court is unrepresented. By the time of judgment and beyond, that number is 80%.

The bar is severely underrepresented as it intersects with the administration of justice in family court. Indeed, mental health practitioners are more common because every case involving custody or visitation will involve interaction with a mental health practitioner.