The 6th Judicial District Court is proud to announce the start-up of the Functional Family Project, a new program designed to help prevent or alleviate the negative impact of divorces or separations upon children.

The project, sponsored by the 6th Judicial District Judges Richard Wagner and Michael Montero, has been created in response to the many families seen in crisis in their courtrooms.  The 6th Judicial District Court, comprised of Pershing, Humboldt and Lander counties, has seen a large increase in divorce cases over the past few years. The district judges have grown concerned over the ramifications to children resulting from heated divorces and separations.

The main focus of the project is to help children in these families. Studies prove children are at much higher risk for juvenile delinquency, dropping out of school, teen pregnancy, abusing drugs and alcohol, getting divorced themselves or ending up in prison when their parents go through a contentious divorce or separation.

The Functional Family Project has instituted a two-pronged approach. Families, with the guidance of a life coach, will be able to decide whether to pursue a reconciliation track or a litigation track. The reconciliation track is designed to reunify couples or avoid separation altogether. The litigation track involves ongoing support for the family throughout the court process.

The judges have stressed participation in the Functional Family Project is not mandatory for those parents initiating court involvement. However, it is a tool both judges believe can be used to avoid the great emotional impact of splintered family relationships and/or costly litigation.

Through the guidance of a life coach, each family in the project will formulate their own plan with the ability to utilize all available resources in the community to help each member recognize and fulfill their unique and individual roles within their own family. The project is open to any parent in the 6th Judicial District contemplating separation or divorce and participation is entirely voluntary.

Judge Richard Wagner states, “The Functional Family Project is based on principles generally not used for other government programs in that it is aimed at teaching families and individual members of a family to be self-reliant and to be responsible themselves for making needed changes in their own lives. This project would provide assistance to people who generally love their children and are looking for a better way.”

Those interested in the Functional Family Project can call support staff toll free at 1-888-872-5959 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Any questions may be directed to Judge Richard Wagner at 775-273-2105 or Sandie Gleixner at 775-623-6382 ext.108.