I have no idea but I'm your friend and I hate a thread left unanswered by a friend. You're welcome! Since A merit is a good quality, I'll tell you what to expect in Aug. Your list will include....You're funny, supportive, smart, fierce, loving, etc...
His list is....He's still alive after being born a stupid ass.

frank explained the settlement conference last week..i got mine aug 12th..after i asked on here and frank explained..andy called me back and i read what frank wrote and he went yep thats it
i have no idea what a merit is

take plenty of vaseline and grab ankles..lots of luck

nor you meant to say that to my stbx didnt you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDFyNqKHu7k

MSDE, your STBX doesn't deserve any vaseline...

In the conference, they review your settlement proposal, I believe.
I have not heard of a merits trial. Maybe they hand out stickers or badges?! Like in Brownies. JK.

D, send frank a message so he can explain it- he always knows the answer. OR ask Anne! She knows too..
I don't want you stressing all weekend waiting for the answer to this Monday am :(
Good luck and pass on what you learn lol

xoxoxo

Bumping this this morning hoping to get some more info? Anybody have any input?

Sorry D, you're ahead of me on this. Have you two agreed to the settlement? If not, it may be that the judge asks if you can't come to an agreement and if not then he may recomment meditiation.

Merits trial, maybe sweet is right.

D... not a legal professional here, but I did come across this:

When a divorce case goes to trial before a Judge to settle all issues, this is called "trying the case" or "the merits trial." It is the final hearing.

Albeit from a MD lawyer's site, I can't imagine that these terms differ.
http://users.erols.com/waterston/divorce.html

But best would be information from your lawyer or the professional help suggested by those above.

A merits trial is a formal court hearing, conducted under the rules of evidence, to decide the disputed issues filed in the complaint or summons.

Contested divorces that cannot be resolved by mediation, arbitration or collaborative law end in trials.

In divorce trials, the disputed issues usually are 1) child custody and visitation, 2) property division, and 3) support issues.

In general in divorce actions, like all civil trials, the routine begins with opening statements, then the petitioner presents evidence and testimony. The respondent, in turn, presents his or her case, evidence and testimony. This may be followed by the petitioners rebuttal and the respondents sur-rebuttal. In contested custody cases, a childs lawyer or custody evaluator may testify about the family situation. Both sides present their claims about disputed financial matters. In the end, both sides make closing arguments.

During the stages of the trial, the lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant conduct direct, redirect, cross-examinations of witnesses as part of the presentation of the case and the defense against it. Cross-examination normally follows by the adverse party, and redirect examination follows by the party who first called the witness. These examinations -- direct, cross- and redirect -- are part of the process by which a jury ascertains the facts.
Almost all divorce trials are bench trials, which means they are heard without a jury. When it is over, the case is "under submission," which means after consideration the judge comes to a decision and judgment. Most divorce trials last a day or two.