“When will the court hear my divorce? I filed it months ago, then the courts closed due to COVID-19.”
On June 1, 2020, the Vermont Superior Courts began to slowly reopen. There is a backlog of cases from the time the courts stopped operation. Juvenile cases and criminal cases where a person is jailed and awaiting hearing will take first priority. Next, priority will be given to family cases involving minor children and child support that are new, recently filed, or that have not yet had an initial determination of custody or child support. Modifications of existing final orders have the next priority. Divorces that involve only property disputes will the the last cases to be set and heard.
Now is a good time to consider alternatives to going to court. Hiring lawyers to negotiate or mediate with you may get you to a resolution faster than waiting for court time to open up. You might also consider hiring a private judge, called an arbitrator, to decide your case if you can’t reach agreement. Contact the lawyers at Wagner Law to discuss alternatives.
