Matthew Routhier

Dear committee members, As a member of the public who has been involved in the family court system I cannot honestly say that the current system is working. The family court system does not work in the best interests of families and children regardless of the outcome for each individual. The system incentivizes money over children and relationships. Individuals hold their children hostage by leveraging child support and property (otherwise known as monetary compensation) against equal parenting time and rights. Lawyers refuse to guide their clients to settlement to minimize conflict and instead seek to continue litigation where no one benefits other than the law firms. The family court follows no rules of evidence and is allowed to make decisions which are not based on precedent or facts but on a minimal snapshots of time during testimony, most of which is false and misleading and used to sway the judge. Perjury is often allowed and the court will not take action against bad actors, but refer litigants to seek action by outside agencies. Assumptions are used versus fact based evidence in the creation of orders and the higher standard of law required in the superior court system or probate division are ignored. The court system is funded by the tax payers and should work for the tax payers. When I say this I mean the courts should provide due process, equal protection to all litigants, timely orders as well as thoughtful and lawful orders, without biases based on gender or race. I can say that most individuals want to move on with their lives and be involved in their children’s lives without having to endure ongoing stress associated with the family court. I support and end to the the family court and a dedicated mediation process. If litigation is necessary it should take place in a court of law not an administrative court with lesser standards. Sincerely and respectfully yours, Matthew R. Routhier