Court Preparation Checklist for Family Court

Below is a Court Preparation Checklist for Paternity, Custody & Child Support cases:
□ Make an outline, at least a few days before your
hearing, of all important information you want the
judge to know and bring it with you to court.
□ Know how to get to the courthouse.
□ Dress professionally.
□ Bring a copy of all of the papers that you filed and
whatever the other party served on you.
□ Leave for court in sufficient time to arrive early.
□ If the other party does not show up for court, ask the
judge for a “Default Judgment” (which is requesting
what you asked for).
□ Be polite and respectful:
o To the judge
o To the other party and their attorney, if they have
one.
□ Don’t interrupt when someone else is talking,
ESPECIALLY the Judge; Speak when it is your turn.
□ When it is your turn to talk, speak directly to the
judge, not to the other side.
□ Focus on “the best interests of the child.”
□ Always address the judge when speaking, and call
him/her “Your Honor.”
□ If the judge asks you a question, ANSWER the
question that was asked as briefly and to the point as
possible.

Appearing for Court by Telephone for your Family Law Case

Family law cases frequently involve parties that live in different counties or states, far from each other.  In those situations, one of the parties inevitably will have trouble appearing for court in person.  While one should always try to appear in person when possible, to personalize yourself to the judge, that is not always realistic.

In those situations, most jurisdictions allow for a "telephonic appearance", or appearing by telephone.  If you need to make such an appearance, be sure to prepare in advance.  Different courts have different procedures for making a request to appear by telephone for your family law case.  Whether its for paternity, child custody, child support or something else, you need to make sure you appear and your position is heard.  So preparation is the key.

The best course of action is to call the court clerk at the courthouse where your case is to be heard.  Let the clerk know that you live far away and ask what their procedure is to request to appear by phone.  Then follow exactly what they tell you, and do it as soon as possible.  Otherwise, you could waive your chance to appear by phone.

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