A backlog in the New Jersey courts has precluded resolving all types of family law disputes—resulting in a denial of access to justice for many families. Justice delayed is truly justice denied, as anyone waiting six years to be divorced knows. The horror stories on both sides of every issue abound: litigants are evicted from their homes because the spouse party is not paying fair pendente lite (PL) support, children suffer trauma due to prolonged custody battles, etc. People are quick to blame lawyers, judges, and court staff, but the issue is far more complicated. Many of these delays are due to lingering issues from the pandemic shutdowns (which exacerbated preexisting issues in the court system, such as the judge shortage), and, unfortunately, there is no end in sight. In February of this year, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner of the New Jersey Supreme Court suspended family trials in two vicinages saying other counties may soon follow suit. And, while he just announced that trial may resume in one of those vicinages, he suspended trials in another vicinage.

In the face of this massive failure of the justice system, what options are available to those who need family law disputes resolved? The solution rests with family law attorneys willing to think outside the box.

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