Each Family Court is open during norma.l business hours Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

Specific information on hours may be obtained by calling the courthouse.

Parties may represent themselves in Family Court or may hire an attorney.

The Family Court is generally open to the public.  However, the Judge or Support Magistrate presiding over each case has the authority to exclude the public from the courtroom depending upon the nature of the case or the privacy interests of the parties.

Persons who are scheduled to appear in court are expected to arrive at the courthouse on time.  If a party is not present when the case is called into the courtroom, the Judge or Support Magistrate may proceed and decide the case in that person's absence, or may dismiss the petition.

Court records of Family Court proceedings are not open to public inspection.  Parties directly involved with a case may obtain a copy of a court order or transcript of the case by completing a request form from the courthouse where the case was heard; proof of the person's identify if required.

Parties who are physically unable to attend their court appearance may request to appear by telephone prior to their scheduled court date.  They must contact the court that they are to appear in and request a copy of the Electronic Testimony Request Form.  This must be completed and returned to the court for approval.  Parties will be notified whether their request was approved or denied.

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