Weblinks: Elkins Family Law Task Force & Implementation Task Force (Judicial Branch of California 2010, 2013)

In Elkins v. Superior Court (2007) 41 Cal.4th 1337, the California court recommended that the Judicial Council of California establish a task force to “study and propose measures to assist trial courts in achieving efficiency and fairness in marital dissolution proceedings and to ensure access to justice for litigants, many of whom are self-represented.” In response to this recommendation, the Elkins Family Law Task Force was appointed in 2008.

Over the course of its work, the Elkins Family Law Task Force held twelve meetings that soliticited feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and the public. The Elkins Family Law Task Force presented its final recommendations to increase access to justice, ensure due process, and provide for more effective and consistent rules, policies, and procedures in family court to the Judicial Council of California on April 23, 2010. The Judicial Council accepted the report and recommendations.

The Elkins Family Law Implementation Task Force (EFLITF) was appointed in July 2010 and provided its final report to the Judicial Council in December 2013. The task force collaborated with related advisory groups and justice system partners on implementation of the Elkins Family Law Task Force 2010 Recommendations (pdf) through development of rules and forms, education, system improvements, and data collection.

The Elkins Family Law Task Force and Implementation Task Force webpage (courts.ca.gov) hosts all of the materials generated by this important reform project, including information to on-going work.

The Family Law: Final Report of the Elkins Family Law Implementation Task Force (pdf) is available for download.