Family Court Judges ' Training, Background, and Child Development Knowledge: Associations with Child Custody Decision Making

trial courts, accounting for a full one-third of all court filings (Newbauer, 1997). These cases include, but are not limited to: divorce, abuse, neglect, child custody, visitation, and child support. These family court judges are given the difficult responsibility to resolve issues involving children with the daunting task of determining whether or not a child will have future contact with his or her parents. The role of a family court judge is complex and unique in the court system. On the one hand, a judge is expected ensure that the rules of the court are respected, stay neutral, and only intervene to resolve disputes necessary to keep the process moving to a conclusion (Hardcastle, 2005). However, a family court judge becomes a force within the family system, he or she is involved and morally and ethically compelled to manage these cases while keeping in mind the greater good of the children (Hardcastle, 2005). It would seen understandably difficult for a judge to remain neutral and not interfere in the lives of a family when he or she is makin