By Jason Allen

Teresa Halbach's family is going to have to wait a little longer to find out if they can get any money from accused murderer Steven Avery. A Calumet County judge decided Thursday the family's civil suit needs to be heard by someone else.

The family decided to file its lawsuit in Calumet County where Avery is being held in jail.

Since Avery lived in Manitowoc County, and since that's where he's accused of murdered Halbach, Judge Donald Poppy decided that Manitowoc County is where the case should be heard.

It only took a few minutes for a judge to send the suit somewhere else. The courtroom hearing was really just a formality for what attorneys agreed upon behind closed doors earlier.

Earlier this month, Avery settled a wrongful conviction lawsuit against the county for $400,000. He spent 18 years in prison for a rape and attempted murder that modern DNA tests proved he didn't commit.

Halbach's family wants to make sure he can't spend that money on bail or an attorney. So now they'll take their case to Manitowoc County court, arguing they should be entitled to any money Avery has.

"We don't want him to spend this money. We think it could be better spent by someone else," Mike Halbach, Teresa's brother, said.

Time is an important factor, in case Avery does get the money and uses it toward getting himself free.

"Certainly we were hoping for a quick injunction," Halbach family attorney Patrick Coffee said. He added, "Delay will be minimal."

In fact, they could file the papers in Manitowoc County as soon as Friday.