Report highlights concerns in Michigan family courts as reform bill stalls

(The Center Square) – A new statewide survey of Michigan family-law practitioners is adding momentum to a legislative effort to overhaul how family court cases are handled across the state.

The report, released by Stronger Courts for Michigan Families, surveyed nearly 300 judges, referees, legal aid attorneys and private practitioners and found widespread concerns Michigan’s family court system.

According to the report, 74% of respondents identified delays in hearings or case resolution as a significant issue, while 53% cited high case backlogs. More than half of respondents reported that, in their experience, judges are routinely assigned to family law dockets without prior family-law experience.

The survey also found that 60% of practitioners reported inconsistent rulings or a lack of jud...