superior court; fees
SB1339 increases the conciliation court fee from $50
to $65.
When parties file for dissolution, legal separation
or annulment, they may use the services offered by the conciliation court. The purpose of conciliation court is:
“To promote
the public welfare by preserving, promoting and protecting family life and the
institution of matrimony, to protect the rights of children and to provide
means for the reconciliation of spouses…”
(§25-381.01)
Either spouse may invoke the conciliation court’s
jurisdiction to try to preserve the marriage and effect conciliation between
the two parties. This court may also resolve
issues and find an amicable settlement of child custody issues. Except
for the mandatory $50 additional fee upon the filing for dissolution, legal
separation or annulment, there is no additional fee for using the services of
the conciliation court.
In
each county where the superior court has established a conciliation court,
every party to a petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment shall
pay an additional $50. This additional
fee funds the conciliation court. All
counties, except Greenlee, Graham and Santa Cruz, have a conciliation court.
Conciliation court serves five main purposes:
1.
Provide
“mediation” services to resolve child
custody and visitation disputes.
2.
Provide
a child custody “assessment” to
determine custody.
3.
Provide
“counseling” services in an attempt
to reconcile the marriage.
4.
Provide
mediation for post-decree disputes.
5.
Provide
parental education classes.
The
minimum filing fee in counties with a conciliation court is $156 ($91 filing
fee; $15 document storage fee; $50 conciliation court fee). The conciliation court fee increased from
$30 to $50 in 1991 (Laws 1991, Ch.20)