The family court system is evolving quicker than many people realize.
The stories about paper backed-up systems, unbelievable wait times, and outdated procedures that plague family courtrooms across America are well known. But something different is happening behind the scenes…
Technology is starting to catch up with family law, and it’s going to change everything.
Here’s what you need to know about how automation and technology are impacting access to justice for families.
What You’ll Learn…
- Why Family Courts Are Broken
- Self Representation Statistics
- Court Automation Is Coming
- Technology Is Making Lawyers Accessible
- Family Takeaway
Why Family Courts Are Broken
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to learn…
The family court system isn’t keeping up with demand. Between divorce cases, custody battles, child support modifications and more, state courts see just under 4 million family law filings per year.
Waiting times can exceed 40 weeks just to get a hearing for your private law case.
Think about how long 40 weeks is.
40 weeks is nine months.
No wonder people feel rushed into divorce mediation or signing awful custody agreements. Most people can’t afford to wait that long.
Here’s the thing…
Courts don’t have the staffing to keep up with demand either. There simply aren’t enough judges to go around. Combine that with archaic processes and manual document handling, and you’ve got a system begging for modernization.
Family courts were never designed for this volume of cases. Or more specifically… families without attorneys.
Self Representation Statistics
If you represent yourself in court without a lawyer, you automatically face a disadvantage.
Here are some startling statistics regarding self representation in family law…
72% of family law cases have at least one self represented party.
That means that nearly 3 out of every 4 cases has someone filing without an attorney. Who are these people?
They are your neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
They are people just like you who simply can’t afford a lawyer to navigate the legal system on their behalf.
When only one party has legal counsel, things aren’t fair. Guess who wins more:
- Attorneys
- Self represented litigants
Attorneys.
People who have to go to court and figure out the process on their own aren’t winning. According to statistics, when both parties are represented by counsel, they reach a decision roughly 86% of the time.
But when one party is self-represented, that number jumps to 91%. Self represented litigants win only 9% of the time.
The family court system was designed with attorneys, not families, in mind. For families navigating civil litigation matters, working with experienced lawyers in Memphis can help level the playing field and protect your interests.
Software Applications & Tools Making Courts More Efficient
There is some good news on the horizon…
Automation software and advanced technology are coming to family court, and they are going to change everything.
Courts are starting to implement tools that streamline repetitive tasks, speak plainly to self-represented litigants, and process paperwork faster than ever before.
Just some of the ways courts are automating processes:
- Reviewing documents for errors prior to filing
- Answering common legal questions using chat bots
- Electronically filing documents
- Using voice-to-text to increase accessibility
- Interviewing parties using plain language to complete forms
Some courts have reduced case processing time by upwards of 300% by implementing AI assistants to help attorneys review documents.
It’s not just about working faster though…
Automation allows court systems to catch errors before they’re filed. Ensure that procedures are being followed correctly the first time. And streamline overall processes so families aren’t stuck waiting for weeks or months on end.
Technology Is Making Lawyers Accessible
Here’s something else to be excited about…
Lawyers are becoming more accessible to families than ever before.
Technology isn’t just making court more efficient, it’s helping attorneys do their jobs more effectively too.
Here are some ways families can find legal help today:
- Artificial intelligence is helping lawyers with research reducing billable hours.
- Automation tools exist that can quickly prepare documents in a fraction of the time.
- Virtual consultations are becoming more commonplace allowing families to work with attorneys without having to leave their homes.
- Lawyers are offering “unbundled” services to help with certain parts of your case.
These technological advancements have allowed attorneys to help more clients than ever before. Plus, they’re offering services that families can use without retaining them for their entire case.
Courts are also leveraging technology to help families who can’t afford an attorney. There are AI powered self help centers families can access to get answers to common legal questions, learn about their rights, and understand how to file certain motions on their own.
The goal of these tools isn’t to replace your attorney. Instead, it’s to make sure that everyone who walks into a courthouse can walk out with basic legal knowledge no matter their income.
Family Takeaway
If your family is involved in a court case, here’s what you need to know moving forward:
Court automation is coming. If your court adopts new technology to help with automation, you should see a noticeable difference in how quickly your case is processed. More courts are moving toward digital filing methods. Self help centers and online resources are becoming more robust. Family court will look drastically different in the next five years.
Use technology to your advantage. Most courts offer self-help centers, online guides, and tools to help you file your case as efficiently as possible. Take advantage of these resources and use them correctly. They can save you a ton of time and frustration.
There are more options available than ever before. Technology has allowed lawyers to offer services to clients that weren’t possible 20 years ago. Virtual consultations, unbundled services, AI assisted legal research. These tools are allowing families to customize their legal assistance and only pay for what they need.
Don’t forget about the human element. Yes, all of these automation tools will allow courts to operate more efficiently. But family law cases are complex and typically benefit from legal representation. Technology should be seen as a tool to assist you throughout your case, not replace your attorney.
Wrap-Up: How Family Court Will Change In The Coming Years
The family court system is slowly being redesigned by technological advancements and automation tools. With high self representation rates and millions of cases flooding court dockets each year, it’s about time.
Family courts across the country are starting to use technology to…
- Automate document processing
- Provide plain language assistance to self represented litigants
- Digitize filing methods
- Make attorneys more accessible to families
Which court will you hear about sticking to the status quo?
Everyone who deals with the family court system will benefit from these changes. If your family is in the middle of a court case, use technology to your advantage, know your options, and don’t be afraid to seek help.
