After two years in operation, the 25th Judicial Circuit’s Special Masters Program has proven successful in helping parties and attorneys settle disputed family law cases.
The program provides an avenue in which parties and attorneys can present the contested issues of a family law case to an impartial third party, known as a special master. Katie Anderson, who resides in Texas County and practices law primarily in Pulaski County, is one of eight special masters chosen to serve another two-year term by a vote of attorneys within the 25th Circuit.
“I am very proud to be reelected as a special master,” said Anderson, an associate with the firm Smith & Turley. “It’s an honor to be selected by the people I practice law with, and I appreciate the opportunity to help families in a way that was not available to them before this program began.”
The Special Masters Program is the first of its kind in Missouri and was instituted as part of the circuit’s family court program. The goal is to help parties achieve faster, more satisfying solutions to family law cases.
During special masters sessions, which are confidential and held once a month throughout the year, parties and their attorneys have the opportunity to present their case to one male and one female special master. The sessions are less formal than a court hearing, giving parties the opportunity to speak freely, and the special masters a chance to ask questions. At the conclusion of the session, the special masters make recommendations to the parties based on their expertise in the area of family law.
The opinions of the special masters often provide parties with a more realistic picture of what is likely to happen if their case is taken to trial and decided by a judge.
“I find that the sessions are helping parties by giving them the opportunity to present their case to a neutral third party,” Anderson said. “The special masters hear their complaints and tell them which issues are legally relevant and which are not. Sometimes, it’s not what the parties want to hear, but they are feeling satisfied that the special masters understand enough about the intricacies of their case to give them a thoughtful recommendation.”
If parties are able to settle their case without going to trial, it leaves the outcome in their hands, rather than that of a judge. This often results in a more satisfying solution for all involved, and saves the family from going through what can be a long, emotionally taxing and expensive process.
Many of the special masters have attended sessions as an attorney representing a client, including Anderson.
“All but two of the cases I’ve brought before the special masters as an attorney have settled because of the recommendations given during the session,” she said. “I’m finding it to be a really effective tool in settling cases.”
Currently, more than 80 percent of cases going before the special masters are resulting in parties settling without going to trial.
Along with Anderson, Dawn Clayton and Albert Crump Jr. were selected to serve as special masters from Maries County. From Phelps County, Mark Calvert, Carolyn Buschjost, Kent Robinson, John Beger and Emily Woodward were chosen.