The Family Court Commissioner's primary role is to conduct hearings and issue temporary orders during the pendency of divorce actions.  In most divorces, one or more hearings are held to determine such matters as legal custody and physical placement of children, the amount of child support and/or spousal maintenance, responsibility for payment of debts and insurance premiums, use of the family residence and personal property, and other related matters.

The Family Court Commissioner also:

1. Issues temporary restraining orders and presides over civil domestic abuse and harassment proceedings.
2. Represents the Kewaunee County Child Support Agency in establishing, enforcing and revising child support orders.
3. Serves as the Director of Family Court Services, who is responsible for contracting for, administering and assigning mediators in disputes concerning child custody or physical placement.
4. Serves as the Juvenile Court Commissioner, and in the absence of the Circuit Court Judge, conducts initial hearings for juveniles in physical custody.
5. Serves as the County Mental Health Review Officer.

Communicating with the Family Court Commissioner:

Pursuant to the Code of Judicial Ethics and the Supreme Court Rules, a Judge or Court Commissioner, and the office staff, may not consider ex-parte communications or give legal advice.  A communication is ex-parte if the other parties and/or attorneys involved in the matter do not also receive a copy of the communication.  The purpose of the rule is to insure that all interested and/or necessary parties/attorneys know what the Court is receiving and have an opportunity to respond.  For a Court to even consider any communication, the following procedure must be followed: 1) Send the original to the Court and a copy to all interested parties, attorneys and/or agencies in the case; 2) Indicate the names and addresses of all those copied; and 3) Include the case name and number.
 

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Contact:	Douglas J. Messmann - Family Court Commissioner Phone: (920) 388-3273
Mailing Address:	Messmann Law Office 213 Ellis Street Kewaunee, WI 54216 Map
Physical Address:	213 Ellis Street Kewaunee, WI 54216 Map
Hours:	Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.