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.