How to Prepare for a Divorce Hearing
Preparing for a divorce can be difficult, but never is it more important than right before your hearing. During a divorce hearing, you might discuss how to divide jointly owned land, cars, or other property. If you have any minor children, you will also discuss their custody, primary physical residence, visitation rights, and child support or alimony. Because these issues are extremely important, it is important to be well-prepared.
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Instructions
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Preparing for a Divorce Hearing
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Review your court documents well. You may have copies of these at home; if not, make sure to visit the clerk's office to see additional copies.
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Make sure that your spouse has received notice of the hearing. If your spouse did not receive written notice, the hearing may have to be postponed.
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Plan out what you would ideally want, as well as what compromises you would be willing to make. If the judge sees that you are clear on where you stand, but still willing to be flexible, you will have a better chance of receiving a favorable response.
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Decide whether you would like to hire an attorney to advise you. Although attorneys are not required for a divorce hearing but they can help protect your assets in the case of a complicated divorce.
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Decide whether it would be beneficial to bring witnesses or other documents to the hearing. Only bring documents that are needed to prove a point that you would like to make.
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Practice speaking calmly and respectfully to the judge. Although it is important to show some emotion while explaining your side of the story, you may need to be able to converse respectfully with your spouse.
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Tips & Warnings
Include specific dates, places, and names whenever possible in your explanation. Ask questions if you do not understand something the judge says at the hearing. Make sure you understand clearly what will be written in your Final Judgment of Divorce.
Never interrupt the judge at your hearing.
