Summer is almost here, school is almost over, and here we are, in the same place as we have been for the past months. The children are home, we work from home, and cases are stalemated because the courts are, for the most part, closed, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and safety concerns. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? When will your case be back on track?
As an optimist, there is a light and things will begin moving forward shortly. Divorces and hearings can be filed, and cases are being calendared. While the date may not be a firm hearing date, there are benefits to filing now and not waiting. How fast and when the courts will return to regular calendaring schedules and how soon your hearing date will be set — that’s the question everyone is asking, and we do have some answers.
We believe starting next month, absent extending the present restrictions, the courts will begin hearing cases in a manner that takes into consideration all safety concerns and precautions for the public and the court staff. Also, we are told the court is taking steps to categorize cases in an order to promote the most efficient and effective use of the court’s services and move cases forward effectively and efficiently.
If you can imagine, there are tens of thousands of cases in the Los Angeles Court system that have been on hold. Every hearing and trial, absent matters relating to restraining orders and contempt proceedings, have been stayed. You are not alone. We recognize that is not any solace to your situation, but we are all in this together, and we are all having to make adjustments.
The court anticipates everyone will continue following their current court orders. Whether it is support, custody, property matters, and the like — if there is an existing court order, those orders must be followed. When issues arise regarding your court orders that require attention, this is where effective counseling is important.
Be certain to maintain contact with your attorney and advise them of what is going on. Your attorney can then communicate with opposing counsel to address and hopefully resolve circumstances that come up. Because the court has limited what matters of urgency may be presented on an expedited basis, it is important to remember that the sooner you communicate with your attorney, the sooner issues can be addressed and resolved. An integral part of lawyering is the ability to communicate in a reasonable and effective manner with other counsel to arrive at an agreeable resolution, even if that solution is temporary.
Summer is soon upon us. If you have children, remember to follow your custodial visitation schedule for the summer. Because there are limited resources available for children to participate in activities over the summer, it is important for both parents to remain patient and present alternatives to one another for managing the summer schedules. It’s a time for parents to creatively design activities for the children that work with everyone’s schedule. Nothing will be perfect and there will be obstacles along the way. Remember, these are difficult times for everyone — you’re not alone.
If you have questions about going forward with a dissolution or your case, our office is available to meet with you. During this time, we have successfully worked with attorneys to arrange temporary modifications to existing orders, and we have successfully mediated many matters. Our office has remained and continues to remain open and available to our clients, new clients, and consultations.
For more information and to schedule your free consultation, please call The Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at (661) 255-1800, write us at office@chromanlaw.com, or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com.
Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorney with over 23 years of experience and local service.
This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.