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Submitted by Tara.Harper on
Answer

Family courts have jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, paternity, grandparent visitation, name change, infant guardianship, child custody, and family support proceedings, except those incidental to child abuse and neglect. Family court judges also hold final hearings in civil domestic violence protective order proceedings and may perform marriages. Family court judges have authority to make final decisions in family court cases. Family court judges can refer parents to mediation and parent education and refer children for guardian ad litem services. The Supreme Court does not charge families who cannot afford to pay for these services. Along with mediation, family court judges can order parents who are divorcing to attend a one-time, mandatory parent education class. The class teaches parents how to minimize the negative effects of divorce and family dissolution on children.