If your custody hearing is coming up, you’re probably nervous. Custody hearings involve the people that are the most important to us, our children. With so much at stake, it’s important to enter your custody hearing with as much preparation as possible. Here are some things to remember as your court day approaches:
First, make sure you’re doing everything you need to do to make your best case. You need to make sure that you never miss a scheduled parenting time and that you arrive on time to exchange the children. Don’t spend your time arguing with your co-parent because the other parent might use this against you in court. Keep all interactions with your co-parent business like and professional. Keep records of interactions with the other parent, such as text messages or emails.
As court approaches, make sure the children are not late for school or absent on your parenting days without a doctor’s note. Make sure the children attend their scheduled doctor’s appointments, including any counseling. Refrain from using alcohol during your parenting time and never use illegal drugs. At the Law Offices of Piazza, Simmons & Grant, they give clients honest and direct instructions as to how to present their case in the best possible light.
Second, if you’re working with an attorney, be sure you follow his or her instructions for your case. If they ask you to make notes for them about the case, make sure you do this as soon as you’re able to do so. If they ask you to help them gather pieces of information or read over documents that they file in court on your behalf, make sure you do what they ask. This helps your attorney help you.
Third, put together things that you need for the big court day. Don’t wait until the day of court to find a nice outfit to wear or try a new hairstyle. Make sure that your clothes are ready the night before court. For court, you need a pad of paper and something to write with. You need to be able to take notes and give notes to your attorney during your court hearing. Pack tissues and a power bar or cough drops in case you need them. The court might call your case first or they might call it last on a busy court day with many cases, so it’s important to plan for either eventuality.
It’s also important to make other arrangements for important matters that happen on the day you have court. If you have children to care for, you need to make arrangements for their care. You might need to make sure that you have the day off from work. Whatever you need to do to plan, take care of it before the big day so that you have less to stress out about. Also, make sure you have the numbers of the court and your attorney on hand so that you can make contact if the worst should happen and you face an emergency on your scheduled day in court.
These three steps can help ease your worries and help you prepare for a smooth day in court. Planning and preparation can make the big day less stressful. Take the time to make your best case by doing the things you need to do ahead of your court date. Remember not to lose your cool when interacting with your co-parent. With these tips, you can arrive at court prepared and ready to focus on the children that matter so much to you.
