Every year, millions of married couples decide to divorce. The legal system provides a means for sorting out financial issues, dividing assets, dissolving the legal relationship, and setting arrangements for the children; however, it is well … MORE
This publication is a supplemental guide to the Family Justice Initiative's Principles for Family Justice Reform and sets forth best practices to triaging domestic relations cases that match parties and cases to resources and services… MORE
Understanding what clients want and expect from their lawyers is imperative for the provision of high-quality legal services, as well as for lawyers’ success in the legal profession. While we have anecdotal evidence that presents glimpses of answers… MORE
Family courts operate within a larger court structure that generally reflects the traditional, adversarial approach, which can exacerbate existing tensions between partners or spouses, and, in cases involving children, can leave children caught in… MORE
Self-represented litigants face a variety of challenges navigating the process without legal help. There are widespread efforts by courts around the country to assist self-represented parties, including the development of self-help materials. Not… MORE
Once a case is filed in court, it becomes the court’s responsibility to manage the case toward a just and timely resolution. This inherently entails an obligation for every aspect of the court, and of all of its staff, to provide guidance to self-… MORE
Through our Court Compass project, IAALS has been rethinking legal processes by listening to and engaging the people who actually use the system. In four states across the country, we brought self-represented litigants and other legal… MORE
Americans are drowning in debt, with an estimated $4 trillion or roughly $13,000 for every man, woman, and child in the United States—large numbers of whom struggle to repay their debts, especially debts incurred to cover routine living expenses,… MORE
In July 2016, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) endorsed 13 recommendations for improving the American civil justice system. The report and recommendations, titled Call to Action:… MORE
Researchers have frequently studied public trust and confidence in the legal system, with a large body of survey and public polling data highlighting issues like perceived racial and gender bias, socioeconomic bias, and concerns over the role… MORE