Court Day: How to Maintain Professionalism During a Divorce
April 24, 2020
Divorces include many new and uncomfortable situations. People divide their belongings, make agreements on the care of their children, and leave their homes behind. Most divorces settle out of court, but some need to have a judge make a final decision. Intimidation can happen to anyone with no court experience, but preparation can help to calm rattled nerves.
Dress for Respect
Dress in the best clothing you have available and enter the courtroom looking well-groomed. Business formal clothing is a great idea but is not mandatory. Clothing makes a difference because it affects how people perceive you. People may feel more inclined to treat a professionally attired person with respect.
Well-dressed people also often feel more confident when they know they look their best. Courtrooms can make people feel vulnerable and insecure. Confidence helps to mitigate those uncomfortable feelings.
Keep all Promises
Negotiations take place before a divorce reaches a courtroom, and couples typically have some agreements in place before their day in court. Delays and added costs and conflicts occur when people get upset or angry and decide they do not want to honor a prior agreement. Avoid the need for more mediation and a new court date by staying on track with settled matters.
People need to negotiate with honesty to avoid second thoughts or regrets. Make certain you willingly accept any agreements made before the final court day arrives. Discuss your concerns with an attorney or spend more time in negotiation if you do not feel comfortable with the offer a spouse suggests.
Follow Attorney Instructions
The advice of a divorce attorney enables you to make sensible decisions throughout the divorce process. One of the benefits of hiring an attorney is their understanding of the courtroom environment. The suggestions they offer their clients about how to behave and what to say or not say are based on real-life experience. Follow their advice.
Arrive Without Children
A divorce affects the children as much as the parents, but they should not be involved in the process. An exception is if the judge must speak to the child before a custody decision takes place. Make certain your child or children have minimal exposure to anything else taking place during the court procedure. Kids do not need to hear about what mom or dad may have done wrong.
Act with Respect
The use of profanity, raised voices, and other out-of-control behavior can affect how the judge views the people in his court. Stay calm, professional and respectful of the judge. Behavior becomes even more important when the judge must decide custody. Someone that acts obscene or out of control may not impress the judge as a responsible parent.
Respect for the judge also means acceptance of the law. A judge cannot change their mind when the decision they make is based on the law. No amount of arguing, badgering, or insults of the law or the court will improve the situation.
Avoid Excess Information
Many people want people to pay for every wrong they commit, but you should resist this urge. Answer only the questions asked with relevant information. Unnecessarily divulging private information in a courtroom without a reason for the disclosure could embarrass any children involved and become a regretful moment for everyone if the information becomes public.
A divorce is never easy, but people can get through the process with less stress when they have professional guidance. At Budget Divorce Center , we offer a specialized service that lets people have as little or as much representation as they need. We also offer full-service representation for those that want legal help at their side throughout the ordeal. Contact us for a consultation.
Dress for Respect
Dress in the best clothing you have available and enter the courtroom looking well-groomed. Business formal clothing is a great idea but is not mandatory. Clothing makes a difference because it affects how people perceive you. People may feel more inclined to treat a professionally attired person with respect.
Well-dressed people also often feel more confident when they know they look their best. Courtrooms can make people feel vulnerable and insecure. Confidence helps to mitigate those uncomfortable feelings.
Keep all Promises
Negotiations take place before a divorce reaches a courtroom, and couples typically have some agreements in place before their day in court. Delays and added costs and conflicts occur when people get upset or angry and decide they do not want to honor a prior agreement. Avoid the need for more mediation and a new court date by staying on track with settled matters.
People need to negotiate with honesty to avoid second thoughts or regrets. Make certain you willingly accept any agreements made before the final court day arrives. Discuss your concerns with an attorney or spend more time in negotiation if you do not feel comfortable with the offer a spouse suggests.
Follow Attorney Instructions
The advice of a divorce attorney enables you to make sensible decisions throughout the divorce process. One of the benefits of hiring an attorney is their understanding of the courtroom environment. The suggestions they offer their clients about how to behave and what to say or not say are based on real-life experience. Follow their advice.
Arrive Without Children
A divorce affects the children as much as the parents, but they should not be involved in the process. An exception is if the judge must speak to the child before a custody decision takes place. Make certain your child or children have minimal exposure to anything else taking place during the court procedure. Kids do not need to hear about what mom or dad may have done wrong.
Act with Respect
The use of profanity, raised voices, and other out-of-control behavior can affect how the judge views the people in his court. Stay calm, professional and respectful of the judge. Behavior becomes even more important when the judge must decide custody. Someone that acts obscene or out of control may not impress the judge as a responsible parent.
Respect for the judge also means acceptance of the law. A judge cannot change their mind when the decision they make is based on the law. No amount of arguing, badgering, or insults of the law or the court will improve the situation.
Avoid Excess Information
Many people want people to pay for every wrong they commit, but you should resist this urge. Answer only the questions asked with relevant information. Unnecessarily divulging private information in a courtroom without a reason for the disclosure could embarrass any children involved and become a regretful moment for everyone if the information becomes public.
A divorce is never easy, but people can get through the process with less stress when they have professional guidance. At Budget Divorce Center , we offer a specialized service that lets people have as little or as much representation as they need. We also offer full-service representation for those that want legal help at their side throughout the ordeal. Contact us for a consultation.
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