Mission Critical: A Call to Action for Juvenile and Family Courts, the U.S. Armed Forces, and Veterans Affairs

Abstract

This article describes an innovative court program to focus services and case processing on military families, both active and retired (veterans), who are involved in family law proceedings in the civil courts. The article examines the process taken from concept to implementation in one court, with focus on the interplay between the court and armed force support groups, and legal/court stakeholders focused on improved outcomes for military families in distress. Finally, the author briefly examines the possible reasons for the historical disconnect between the courts and the military (veterans and active forces), draws corollaries to existing federal support for other family matters, and posits a method to include the military family under the umbrella of federal attention. Key Points for the Family Court Community The ease with which the pilot went from concept to rollout bodes well for replication, even when no funding source is available This civil family docket is the perfect adjunct for communities with Veterans Treatment Courts There is an imperative need for the branches of service, VA, and the courts to communicate about this topic Only federal initiative, similar to what has already occurred in other areas of family law, can resolve the impasse