How to Prepare for Your Family Law Hearing – The Reape-Rickett Law Firm

“All rise.” You have been awaiting this day since you first filed your paperwork, and you can finally plead your case to the Court – but how do you properly prepare for your family law hearing?
First, ensure you know what type of hearing you are appearing for: A Trial Setting Conference or a Request for Order, Mandatory Settlement Conference, or even Trial.
Second, prepare and submit all paperwork by the Court deadlines. If you have an attorney, they should assist you with filing and serving all required documents. If you do not have an attorney, it is imperative that you file and serve any additional paperwork by the required due dates. This can include any evidence or new facts you want the Court to consider, such as text messages, pictures, updated declarations, medical records, school records, etc.
Third, thoroughly review all paperwork you, or your attorney, prepared for the hearing. This can include an Income and Expense Declaration, declarations, exhibits etc. Be prepared to answer specific questions regarding the content of your paperwork by the judge. It’s helpful to bring extra copies of these documents with you to Court.
Of course, different hearings require different types of preparation. For a custody and visitation hearing, be prepared to clearly state what you want for visitation and be ready to defend your position. Why is the visitation plan you propose in the child(ren)’s best interest?
For a support hearing, you should be prepared to confirm your average monthly income, the other party’s average monthly income, and the reasons why you are requesting support.
At any settlement conference, you should know your settlement position on all the remaining issues. Your settlement position may be different than your trial position, which is perfectly okay.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Having an experienced family law attorney by your side can help you successfully prepare for any family law hearing. Call The Reape-Rickett Law Firm at (888) 846-6166 or visit DivorceDigest.com to meet with a family law attorney to help you strategize, prepare, and protect your best interests in and out of the courtroom.