3 Things You Need To Remember When Going In Front Of A Judge At Divorce Court
Regardless of how long you have been married, going through a divorce can be devastating. It throws you for a loop and causes you to rethink everything you once knew. Instead of being able to enjoy growing old together, you are now faced with the possibility of being alone again. Emotionally, physically and mentally, you are drained. While there are a lot of things you might not understand about your case and what the whole process entails, here are a couple of things you need to remember whenever going in front of the judge.
Always show up early.
One of the worst things you can do when it comes to going to court is to show up late. You don't want to have the judge sitting there waiting on you to show up. Do whatever it takes to show up to court early. Aim for 10-15 minutes early if at all possible. It is far better to be there early and waiting on the judge to arrive than the other way around. Not being there on time could end up jeopardizing your case and causing it to get postponed or even dismissed.
Conduct yourself properly.
Oftentimes, people end up letting their emotions show through in front of the judge. While it is understandable that you might be upset with what is going on, you don't want to take your attitude out on the judge. It could land you in contempt of court for talking over the judge or ignoring their requests of you. Act professional and only speak when asked. Address the judge with Honorable Judge or Your Honor. Being respectful will go a long way in a court of law.
Come prepared.
Make sure you have all of your paperwork with you before going into court. You don't want to be fumbling around for documentation while in front of the judge. The more documentation you have, the better it is going to be for you in the end. Have everything organized beforehand to prevent delays and confusion in the courtroom.
In doing the three things above, you can help to minimize any hassles and frustrations. The last thing you want is for the judge to be upset with you over something you could have prevented in the first place. If you are ever unsure of something, take a few minutes to discuss it with your attorney. They can help guide you and walk you through the process to make it as quick and painless as possible.
Contact a legal office like the Law Office of Shelli Wright Johnson to learn more.
