(a) By local rule, the superior court may designate additional duties of the family law facilitator, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Meeting with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support, and maintenance of health insurance, subject to Section 10012. Actions in which one or both of the parties are unrepresented by counsel shall have priority.
(2) Drafting stipulations to include all issues agreed to by the parties, which may include issues other than those specified in Section 10003.
(3) If the parties are unable to resolve issues with the assistance of the family law facilitator, prior to or at the hearing, and at the request of the court, the family law facilitator shall review the paperwork, examine documents, prepare support schedules, and advise the judge whether or not the matter is ready to proceed.
(4) Assisting the clerk in maintaining records.
(5) Preparing formal orders consistent with the court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented.
(6) Serving as a special master in proceedings and making findings to the court unless he or she has served as a mediator in that case.
(7) Providing the services specified in Section 10004 concerning the issues of child custody and visitation as they relate to calculating child support, if funding is provided for that purpose.
(b) If staff and other resources are available and the duties listed in subdivision (a) have been accomplished, the duties of the family law facilitator may also include the following:
(1) Assisting the court with research and any other responsibilities that will enable the court to be responsive to the litigants’ needs.
(2) Developing programs for bar and community outreach through day and evening programs, video recordings, and other innovative means that will assist unrepresented and financially disadvantaged litigants in gaining meaningful access to family court. These programs shall specifically include information concerning underutilized legislation, such as expedited child support orders (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 3620) of Part 1 of Division 9), and preexisting, court-sponsored programs, such as supervised visitation and appointment of attorneys for children.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 88, Sec. 39. (AB 176) Effective January 1, 2010.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018