Massachusetts Divorce Lawyer Blog

There is currently a crisis in Massachusetts state courts.  Specifically I’m talking about the Probate courts where probate and divorce matters are handled however the crisis extends to the district courts and the superior courts.

The crisis I’m talking about is underfunding and under-staffed.

In the good old days (a year ago), I could walk into Norfolk Probate Court to file a new divorce and get it docketed and assigned a trial date all at once and in about 15 minutes.  Now, I’ve had cases that I’ve filed with the Court for over a month and half that have not been assigned for trial yet.  I have cases that I’ve filed a week or two ago that still have not gotten docketed.  I have not been able to do a walk-in to get a motion heard because the past several times I’ve been to court, there was only 1 sitting judge for the entire county!

I’m not complaining about the service or efficiency of the personnel that’s working at the courts because I know they’re doing their best with what little they have.  I am however, complaining about the lack of funding for the courts that play a vital role in our justice system and civil dispute resolution system.  Without the courts to solve problems and conflicts and divorces, we are at a standstill.  While my clients are suffering through this recession and being forced by the economy to continue living together despite their divorce, it has now been made almost unbearable because of a divorce process that typically takes 5-6 months is now taking upwards of 9 months.

The courts are a gateway to a civil and orderly society.  Funding to it must be restored.

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