What to Expect: Resolution Plan Date vs. Remote Case Date

As of January 2021, the Judicial Branch has developed a new procedure for custody/visitation and dissolution matters. This guide describes the procedures and what to expect in Court.

1. Resolution Plan Date

   As of January 2021, the Judicial Branch has developed a new procedure for custody/visitation and dissolution matters. The goal is to provide the necessary resources for cases early on, in the hopes of encouraging people to resolve their issues by agreement, as opposed to litigation.
   
   Once you have filed for a divorce or custody matter, your case will be scheduled for a Resolution Plan Date, or “RPD”. On this date, you will participate in a one hour long virtual conference with a Family Relations Counselor from the courthouse, who is essentially going to act as a mediator and attempt to learn and resolve the issues between the parties. At the conclusion of this conference, the parties and the court will be aware of the areas in which the parties agree and disagree. Furthermore, the Family Relations Counselor will draft an action plan which will be presented to the court administratively. This action plan will indicate to the Judge how likely you are to reaching an agreement and what type of service you may need to help resolve your case.
   
   Family Relations has numerous programs that may assist you in reaching an agreement or helping to resolve your case, from mediations and general case management, to issue focused evaluations and comprehensive evaluations. What category you fall in will be determined based on the complexity of your case, as well as the level of conflict between the parties.

2. Remote Case Date

   After the Resolution Plan Date, the Court will enter a scheduling order, including future court dates and what you are expected to accomplish in between said dates. In the event, you reach an agreement during the “RPD”, the Court will accept your agreement, despite not being scheduled to appear before a Judge on that day.
   
   The scheduling order entered after the “RPD” will likely include a “Remote Case Date.” A Remote Case Date is a hearing before a judge to address the motions that have been filed and to have the Court enter temporary orders on matters such as custody, child support, or other motions while your case is pending. The Remote Case Date will include a 45-minute session with Family Relations in attempt to mediate an agreement, and if no agreement is reached, it will be followed by a 45-minute hearing before a Judge.
   
   The Remote Case Date is not intended for final orders, however, if an agreement is reached or orders resolving your matter are entered that both parties are content with, said orders can be made final.