Etiquette
is important
in every aspect of our lives, especially in Divorce Court. The etiquette you
display
in divorce court can have a huge impact on the outcome of your divorce
settlement. Judges will look at all the evidence presented to them by
both
Attorneys before deciding a case, but actions can speak louder than the
written
word.
If you fail to conduct yourself in an orderly manner, you could lose
some of
the concessions regarding Property Division or Custody and Visitation
rights
for your children. It is important you gather as much divorce court
information
as possible before going to court so you can present yourself properly.
It doesn't matter how much property division is at stake between you
and your
spouse, not acting with proper etiquette in front of the judge will
only make
the proceedings last longer than necessary and could force the Court to
decide
in unfavorable ways. Divorce proceedings are a difficult time in
anyone's life,
and poor court etiquette will only make matters worse for both parties
involved.
Once you enter the Divorce
Court
and are seated in front of the Judge, it is important to follow proper
divorce
court etiquette. There may be instances where you must speak to the
judge about
particular information. If this occurs, always address the judge as
"Your
Honor" and thank him or her for allowing you the opportunity to speak.
If
there is no need for you to articulate in court, then allow your lawyer
to do
the talking.
Never make the mistake of addressing your spouse in court with a
negative
remark, especially in front of the Judge. This will only hurt your
case, anger
the Judge, and possibly impair your settlement. Being as prepared as
possible
is necessary for your lawyer, but it is also important for you too.
Take notes
during the proceedings because your family Attorney may not have a
chance to
jot down information if he or she is speaking to the Judge.
Finally, never bring children to the courtroom with you. This is
especially
important to remember if either spouse is seeking custody or if you
both want
joint physical custody of the children. Divorces are difficult enough
for
children, and making them witness a struggle between their parents
could cause
unnecessary stress for them.
Even if your lawyer does not have the poise or attitude of Perry Mason,
you can
still make it through Divorce
Court without losing entirely. Your lawyer
will be
responsible for presenting the Judge with evidence about the property
division
or any custody and visitation requests.
It is your responsibility to behave properly and address everyone with
common
courtesy, especially the Judge. Armed with this divorce court
information you
should be able to go to court and breeze through the proceedings
without it
resembling some of the celebrity divorces we see in the media.
About the
Author
Faye B.
Roberts is an
independent researcher and author on divorce. Emotional and Spiritual
Growth
Following Divorce is Possible for Every Member of Your Family...
Discover How
to Heal Your Heart and Protect Your Loved Ones. Visit Divorce and Your Family