General Provisions - Family Law Pilot Projects - Family Law - CA

Section § 20000

This law highlights the problems with the current child and spousal support system, noting that courts are overwhelmed and unable to handle cases efficiently. It emphasizes the state's interest in creating a more cost-effective and accessible support system, especially for middle- and low-income families. There's also a focus on developing quicker and less adversarial ways to handle custody and visitation disputes. The legislature intends to experiment with new methods to improve these systems.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(1) Child and spousal support are serious legal obligations. In addition, children are frequently left in limbo while their parents engage in protracted litigation concerning custody and visitation. The current system for obtaining child and spousal support orders is suffering because the family courts are unduly burdened with heavy case loads and personnel insufficient to meet the needs of increased demands on the courts.

(2) There is a compelling state interest in the development of a child and spousal support system that is cost-effective and accessible to families with middle or low incomes.

(3) There is a compelling state interest in first implementing such a system on a small scale.

(4) There is a compelling state interest in the development of a speedy, conflict-reducing method of resolving custody and visitation disputes.

(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this part to provide a means for experimenting with and evaluating procedural innovations with significant potential to improve the California child and spousal support systems, and the system for mediation, evaluation, and litigation of custody and visitation disputes.

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Section § 20001

This law allows the Superior Courts in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to run special test programs. Different chapters will outline the rules for each county's project.

The Superior Courts of the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo may conduct pilot projects pursuant to this part. Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20010) shall govern the San Mateo County Pilot Project, and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 20030) shall govern the Santa Clara County Pilot Project.

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