Family court
A family court is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears cases involving family law. For example, family courts typically hear cases involving divorce, child custody, and domestic abuse. Family courts are governed by state and local law. Depending on the jurisdiction, these courts might be called domestic courts.
In some jurisdictions, family courts also handle guardianship and incompetence hearings. Other jurisdictions leave these matters to probate courts.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A separate court or a separate division of the regular state trial court, that considers only cases involving family-related issues, which could include divorce, child custody and support, guardianship, adoption, and the issuance of restraining orders in domestic violence cases.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:16 pm
