Preparing for Court
- Be aware of courtroom etiquette. Tone of speech, body language and appearance can all influence a court case.
- Understand divorce procedure, which means understanding every step of the divorce process.
- Represent yourself in court. Forgoing an attorney can limit conflict. Direct communication with a judge is the quickest way to inform the court of why and how you plan to co-parent.
- Hire a good attorney. Choose a lawyer who is skilled in conflict resolution.
Things Judges Will Not Allow
- Insults
- Interruptions
- Angry outbursts
- Bickering between ex-spouses
- Lengthy explanations of past incidents
- Discussion of issues not on the court calendar
*from "Fathers Are Forever" by Steven Ashley, 2005