Family Court Commissioner

Job Summary

To perform all duties provided for in Sec. 767.225 Wis. Stats, including conducting first hearings in divorce cases, conducting paternity hearings as provided in Sec. 767.80 – 767.895 Wis. Stats, dissemination of all information as provided in Sec. 767.105 Wis. Stats, conducting final divorce hearings and post judgment hearings as provided in Sec 757.69(1)(p)1.2.3. Wis. Stats, conducting injunction hearings as provided for in Sec.813 Wis. Stats., and to supervise the office of family court commissioner for the county as provided in Sec. 757.68 (2m) Wis. Stats. As Director of Family Court Services, the Family Court Commissioner is authorized to provide court connected services as provided in Sec. 767.405 Wis. Stats.

Key Responsibilities

• Preside over first hearings in divorce actions to issue temporary orders concerning custody and placement of children during the divorce process, ordering maintenance and/or child support if appropriate, and allocating debts ad other orders as deemed necessary.
• Conduct scheduling conferences and pretrial proceedings prior to the final hearing of the divorce, if the issues are contested. Conduct the final hearing if all issues are resolved and agreed to by both parties.
• Conduct hearings and enter judgments on all post judgment matters relating to modification and enforcement of child support and maintenance, including all hearings brought by the Racine County Child Support Agency.
• Conduct all hearings on paternity proceedings as provided for in Sec. 767.80 ? 767.895 Wis. Stats. and UIFSA proceedings under 769 Wis. Stats, and Tax Intercept hearings under Sec. 49.856(4) Wis. Stats.
• Administer all legal aspects of the Family Court Commissioner's office including the supervision of the deputy family court commissioners and allocation of calendar responsibilities of the deputy commissioners.
• Act as the point person for Temporary Restraining Orders for the Clerk of Circuit Court's Office and preside at all injunction hearings as provided for in Sec. 813.12 Wis. Stats.
• Prepare synopsis of Wisconsin Appellate decisions relating to Family Law as well as statutory changes for distribution to the Family Court Judge and Court staff.
• Prepare and distribute the Family Court Handbook which is intended to comply with the information sharing responsibilities of the Family Court Commissioner under Sec. 767.105 Wis. Stats.
• Act as liaison between the Family Court and Probate Judges and Deputy Family Court Commissioners to ensure all statutes and regulations are being appropriately administered. Act as liaison between Deputy Family Court Commissioners and the Director of the Child Support Office for policy, program administration and docketing purposes.
• As Director of Family Court Services, the Family Court Commissioner must administer the Office of Family Court Service to provide mediation and custody/placement evaluation services provided under Sec. 767.405 Wis. Stats.
• All other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.
• Five years legal experience with at least three years in family law, plus managerial/supervisory experience.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skill and abilities.
• Thorough knowledge of child support law, tax laws relating to divorce, and pension.
• Prompt and regular attendance.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

This description has been prepared to assist in properly evaluating various classes of responsibilities, skill, working conditions, etc., present in the classification. It is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and characteristic levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities. Nor is it intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.