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THE SECOND CIRCUIT
VISITATION PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED.
In previous years the
Second Circuit offered a program to resolve child visitation disputes
informally. While the program was helpful for a number of years, it was
relatively expensive and required a large percentage of the total available
funding statewide. Effective October 2009, those grant funds have been spread
more evenly across the state to various other programs, and the 2nd Circuit's
Visitation Enforcement program has been discontinued. The contract with a local
attorney to provide those services has now expired, and the program or the court
is no longer able to accept informal visitation complaints.
Because the program has
closed, visitation or parenting time disputes must now be pursued or resolved in
other ways. There are a number of other options available:
1. Disputes may be
resolved using the formal court process, where each side files motions and other
documents with the court, asking the court to issue orders resolving the
dispute. Hiring an attorney for a visitation action is not required, although
attorneys are very helpful in this potentially complicated and high-pressure
area.
2. Under certain limited
circumstances and income guidelines, parties may apply for legal services from
East River Legal Services. You can find more information on East River Legal
Services at their website here:
http://www.helpsouthdakota.com/Home/ERLS
3. You may attempt to
mediate the case privately. A list of some of the mediators in the greater Sioux
Falls area can be found on this website here:
Service Providers
4. While court staff must
remain neutral and cannot give legal advice or "coach" one party against
another, for general information questions on the court process parties are
welcome to call Court Administration at 605-367-5920, or send a message to our
general website email address at
UJSWeb2nd@ujs.state.sd.us.
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