Get ready for a divorce trial if mediation doesn’t work

On Behalf of | Jun 5, 2017 | Family Law |

A divorce case can be resolved in a couple of different ways. One of these is through mediation, but mediation doesn’t always work. In that case, you will go through a family law trial. This means that you have to get ready.

When you are preparing for divorce court, you have to think carefully about what is going to happen. You don’t need to try to fly by the seat of your pants. Instead, you need to make a plan based on the circumstances of your case. One thing that you need to think about is your behavior while you are in court.

Don’t go into the courtroom with an attitude

Even though your divorce has been contentious, you can’t go into the courtroom with an attitude. Don’t make gestures toward your ex and don’t huff and puff when your ex is making points. Instead, use your time to review what points you know you need to touch on. Try to stay calm and relaxed. There is a chance that your ex will try to say or do things that will anger you. Ignore them because getting angry in court will almost certainly work against you.

Keep your mutterings to yourself

If you are tempted to mutter under your breath when your ex is testifying, stop yourself. Trying to detract from what your ex is saying is something that won’t be tolerated. Plus, you might have to answer as to why you are interrupting the proceedings. It is a good idea to keep a piece of paper and a pen near you so that you can jot down things that you disagree with. You can show the information to your attorney.

Focus on the proceedings

Make sure that you focus on what is going on. Turn your phone off and listen. If you don’t take the trial seriously and pay attention, you might miss something important. You also have to think about how you being distracted looks to others who are in the courtroom. If you aren’t interested in what is going on, the court might take that as indifference about what happens.

Consider the subject of the current issue

There are some areas of these hearings that are very focused. For example, the focus of a child custody hearing is the best interests of the child. You can’t focus on what is best or easiest for you during these proceedings. Remember that your children have two parents, so try to remember not to continually call them “my children” since it might be construed as an effort to push your ex out of the picture completely.

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