Introduction From the INSIDE Now, for the first time you get to see the Family Court system through the eyes of the Court appointed Family Court Program Specialist, Pro Se Coordinator, an insider. The term "Pro Se" will be used through out this workbook and is used when someone represents themselves in Family Court either as a Petitioner, (the person starting the filing) or the Respondent, (the person who responds to the filing). The Pro Se Coordinator, a non-lawyer, helps people representing themselves fill in and file state approved forms designed to accomplish Dissolution of Marriage, Custody, Visitation, Adoption, Modifications, Child Support, Contempt/ Enforcement and more. Let me tell you a little about what I did at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court between 2000 to 2002. What I'm about to write is still valid today, July 2013. As the Family Court Program Specialist, Pro Se Coordinator, I worked with the public and the court under the administration section. That's right; the court has both a Family Court PROGRAM and an administrative arm. I supported the Court in many ways. Part of what I did was to review case files before they went to the Judge. I made sure that the forms were complete, correct and ready for hearing or trial. Sometimes I reviewed files at the request of a Judge, Judicial Assistant or Court Administrator. In addition, I did case management. Case Management is the process where all case files are reviewed, Pro Se and Attorney filings alike. The Court wants to make sure that justice is swift and that cases move as quickly as possible through the system. While the general public doesn't know it, the administrative division keeps statistics and strives to move cases along using the case management process. There are time limit goals. This Work Book will help you understand the process.