Cmmr. Weiss took the bench in Dec. 2005 in Dept. K of the Van Nuys Superior Court, with more than 30 years of experience as a Certified Family Law Specialist.
Cmmr. Weiss brings a background of knowledge and experience that is unique to the Family Law Dept. She now holds sway in her courtroom with the heart of a compassionate child-advocate who was for years representing children in contested divorce cases as the neutral attorney appointed by the court. Careful in her approach and in her analysis she prepares her cases four to five days in advance and is very frustrated when cases are settled or continued without notice to the bench.
She does note that she considers it a “polite and a professional courtesy” when attorneys choose to advise her in advance of their intentions to continue or settle a case, so that she is not put to the unnecessary effort of reviewing the entire file for a contested hearing that is being continued or has been successfully settled.
Since 1999, I have been involved in an interstate contested child custody matter.
Sadly, I was separated from my daughter for nearly 4 years, and she was living in an environment which was unstable, unhappy, and unhealthy at best.
In 2003, Susan Weiss appointed as my daughter’s attorney. She displayed a perfect balance of compassion, neutrality, and professionalism at all times, and seemingly fought for my daughter’s rights and best interests as though she were advocating on behalf of her own child.
On September 15, 2003, Susan Weiss delivered her report and recommendations to the Court, and both my life and the life of my daughter were changed forever when I finally brought my daughter home.
I never imagined that one person could take control of a courtroom as Susan Weiss did or make such an impact in the life of a child. Mere words alone cannot possibly express my gratitude.
It is my opinion that Susan Weiss more than earned her Commission. If she puts even half of the effort forth as a Commissioner as she did as a child advocate, she will always remain an asset.
– JSB, Florida
By: mom2samnalex2u on November 1, 2007
at 1:59 am
I completely agree!
Thank you for your sharing your experience.
I wish you the best.
By: ronslaw on February 8, 2008
at 10:46 pm
Father has been involved in an on-going child custody case for several years now. He is the father of four children, ages 11 to 16. Commissioner Weiss was/is very concerned for the children’s well-being. The 730 evaluator recommended custody to father. Commissioner Weiss allowed mother to dispute in a 5 day trial. The total procedings cost father more than $250,000, (730 eval, most of ex legal fees, legal fees, accountant fees).
Finally, at the end of the procedings Commissioner Weiss made a decision to award custody to father. She told mother,
“There’s no question that you love your children and you would run in front of a bus to save them, the trouble is you don’t see the bus coming.”
Although judges /commissioners are supposed to be neutral in custody disputes between mothers and fathers, it was a difficult decision to take children away from their mother. Plus the children were moved in the middle of the school year from LA to OC.
Weiss ordered 1 year weekly family therapy. Shortly after the change in custody, mother got 2 DUI arrests while trying to pick up the kids. Father filed to eliminate over- night visits until mother went to rehab. Commission Weiss allowed mother to continue visitation with a breathlizer program. Somehow Commission Weiss finds a “safe” way for the children to visit their mother.
Now, all 4 children are thriving. Father has almost 100% custody (mother has no driver’s license and see’s the children rarely). Father out of money, no resources to hire an attorney, caring for 4 children, working full-time stopped paying his court ordered child support and spousal support to mother in Oct 2008 so he could meet the obligations of his children.
Commissioner Weiss did an excellent job on the case. She was favorable to both mother and father. I only wish the courts weren’t so crowded in LA and more time could be spent helping those representing themselves -
By: viadero on September 30, 2009
at 6:53 am