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ARRIVE ON TIME FOR ANY
HEARING
If you miss the hearing, the
Judge can make orders without your input. If you are late, your case usually takes more time. |
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DRESS IN A WAY THAT SHOWS
RESPECT FOR THE COURT
You do not need to dress like
a lawyer or buy new clothes. Do, however, dress in a
dignified way. Unless it is an absolute emergency, avoid wearing
jeans, T-shirts, shorts, tank-tops, sleeveless athletic shirts,
cut off shirts, and undershirts in the courtroom. |
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FILL IN AND CHECK EVERY
LINE OF YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Your Financial Statement is
one of the most important documents in your case. You are
required to exchange copies of Financial Statements with the
other party at least 2 days before the hearing on temporary
orders or "pretrial" conference. Get the form
well before the hearing so you have time to obtain all the necessary information. The form must be signed under the
penalties of perjury, so be accurate. |
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SIGN AN AGREEMENT ONLY IF
YOU CAN LIVE WITH IT
You should not sign an
agreement (also called a stipulation) unless you agree to do
what it says. Make sure any written agreement contains
your understanding of what was agreed upon and ask for a copy
of it. If the Judge finds that the agreement is
fair and reasonable, the Judge will usually make the agreement an
order of the Court. If you do not reach an agreement,
the Judge will decide your case. |
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THINK ABOUT AND DO WHAT IS BEST FOR
YOUR CHILDREN
If your case deals with custody or
visitation, think about your children's future happiness,
safety and well-being. Be able to explain to the Judge
why the orders that you want are best for your children. |
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PREPARE TO GO IN FRONT OF THE
JUDGE
Think about what you will say
before you go in front of the Judge; bring copies of your
court papers and any other important papers. Know
the dates of important events that have happened if you
want to tell the Judge about those events.
The Judge is called "Your
honor." Listen carefully to the Judge's
questions. Try to talk to the Judge in a way that
gets to the point and is clear. Be sure to tell the
Judge what you want ordered and why. The person who
filed the motion or started the case usually gets to speak
first. The other party is given a chance to
reply. Wait until it is your turn and do not
interrupt the other party or the Judge. Do not lose
your temper or get loud in the courtroom, even if you do
not like what someone else is saying. |
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KNOW THAT YOUR
CASE MAY BE TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT
The Judge may tell you what is
ordered before you leave the courtroom. Sometimes
a case is "taken under advisement." This
means the Judge wants more time to decide the case and
the Court will send you the decision once it is
made. Make sure the Court has your correct mailing
address. |
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RESTRAINING ORDERS/ DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
If the other party has a
history of domestic violence toward you and if putting
your address or phone number on court papers or giving
this information to the other party will put you at
risk advise front counter staff, the courtroom Assistant Register, the court
officer, or any Family Service Officer or Department
of Revenue (DOR) staff involved in your case, so that
they know
about any concerns for your safety. The staff
can assist you in arranging to impound your
address.
If you are
sent to the Family Service Office or to DOR, and
you are not comfortable with a face to face
meeting with someone who has abused you, advise
the Family Service Officer or DOR representative so
you may be interviewed separately from the person who abused
you. |
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ARRANGE FOR
AN INTERPRETER IF NEEDED
If you or the other party
have trouble understanding or speaking English, or
are in need of a Sign Language interpreter, arrange
for an interpreter for any hearing through the
Register's Office of the Court as soon as you know
the date of the hearing. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD OPPOSING PARTIES INTERPRET FOR
EACH OTHER. If an interpreter is not
available on the day of the hearing, the Judge may
postpone the hearing to a time when an interpreter
is available. |
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GET ADVICE FROM AN
ATTORNEY
Court Orders often have
long-lasting effects. There are likely to be
rules and laws which you find hard to understand
or follow without a lawyer. It is advisable
that you get advice and representation from an
attorney. Probate and Family Court employees
cannot give you legal advice. If you cannot
afford a lawyer, you may be eligible for free or
reduced fee assistance through legal services
programs or bar associations serving your
community. See the Legal
Assistance section (link provided) in this
website.
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