Recent Updates
June 21, 2010
ADVERSARIAL OR UNETHICAL?
October 28, 2009
WB&D Attorneys Present at Pro Bono Week
July 17, 2009
Top Ten Super Lawyer!
Archives
Court Delays
November 26, 2008
Topic: Funding of Minnesota Courts
Recently I was in court on a divorce case in front of one of the Twin Cities Metro Area Family Court Judges. This was a very complex case that had been settled in a way that was beneficial for all and the Court, Counsel and the Parties were pleased with the creative result.
The Judge indicated the order would be signed, but then mentioned that while it would be signed and sent to the Clerk, it would be 6-8 weeks before we could get a certified copy of the order due to cut backs in court funding by the legislature and the Governor. Six to eight weeks to get a copy!!! A copy necessary to transfer property, enforce child support, place children, proved financial assistance. It is really incredible.
Try setting a hearing on temporary custody and explain why parties and children need to wait months to get some help. Ask the Public Defenders who are working second jobs after 7 years of school whether it is worth it. Ask the parents whose children have been taken away in CHIPS cases and they do not even get a lawyer to explain how the process works or what the need to do. To say that the people of Minnesota and \particularly the hard working people in the Court system itself have been abandoned by the other two branches of government is an understatement. Disgraceful..... Wright S. Walling
