07/02/2026
A 128% increase in trials. A 49% increase in hearings. These numbers raise an important question: Why are more cases reaching trial?
The answer is more complex than it may appear. Delays, limited court capacity, and growing case complexity all shape how cases move through the legal system. When families wait longer for hearings or face fewer opportunities to resolve disputes, more cases can end up at trial.
That shift has real consequences. More hearings and trials require additional time from judges, attorneys, volunteer Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), and families already navigating difficult circumstances. They also highlight the growing pressure on a family justice system that many parents struggle to access in the first place.
Read the full article: https://familylawcasa.org/why-are-more-family-court-cases-going-to-trial/
