My first court apperance was for emergency finances, the second was a scheduling hearing.....where they setup, when everything was to be completed by....disclosure of assettes, when then pre-trial hearing was and then the final hearing.....each of these took about 15 minutes each and most of that time was swearing everyone in......but that was Ohio each state is different, but I would think yours will be about the same.....good luck....AJJ

My first court date was the actual divorce hearing.. I did not fight a thing..
DON'T DO THAT!!!!! Honestly no matter how sad, upset or afraid you are. LISTEN to your attorney..
I didn't. I was so scared, wore down, and mentally brainwashed at that point that I just gave in.. I should have NEVER EVER let that man and prayers your way..Remember this is forever. ONCE this happens there is no going back. Get what you can..... YOU deserve it!! BE STRONG>>>>>> J

my first court hearing , was for custody because he said he would take the boys , cost me 5,000 and he hasnt seen the boys in 4 years ! UPDATE ... he called not to long ago wanting a divorce , i told him yes if he paid for it ?? still waiting on that one !!!

My divorce in Michigan didn't have any uncontested items, my ex didn't even come - cut and dried. Also my ex did not have an attorney - he answered all the court documents handwritten on yellow legal pad paper - amused the judge no end. I did not go to the first hearing - it was just my attorney scheduling with the judge. The final hearing was basically the judge asking me if I was sure and granting the divorce. Yours is more complicated - he has an attorney - just do exactly what your attorney thinks you should ----- Also - if at all possible - take a friend with you for moral support. I did for the final hearing and was glad I did.

At my first hearing, I was there. In my state 10 days prior to that both my ex and I had to have a financial disclosure statement filled out and filed with the court. We both did that. I am not sure if you have or filed a temporary order of support, I did not need it as my ex was paying me support due to our personal arrangement, and as he is super responsible all parties were in agreement. Sometimes that is the first order of business if you need that.


My lawyer and ex's lawyer, met with the judge in chambers and off the record. They laid out a basic overview of our finances and case, with the judge. The lawyers told him we were not in dispute over the household contents, but had not reached an agreement with maintenance, the homestead, or division of pension, 401k's, Ira's. We had attended mediation prior and at our own expense, with no resolution. My ex's lawyer requested a vocational evaluation of me to determine what I am capable of earning paid by my ex. They picked an apprasial company to value the house, and they picked a accounting firm to value and divide the investments. Split costs by the ex and I for that. They told the judge we needed a trial date set.

The lawyers and the judge all went in the courtroom, with the court reporter and put that all on the record. My lawyer had me wait in the hall, he came out once and asked me if I had any conflict with the calander date they had picked. I did not ask why I was outside, but probably the reason he did not have me in there, is because he did not want the judge to ask me anything, and he did not want my ex to say anything to me. Advice to everyone, never say anything in the courtroom unless your lawyer tells you to answer, never say anything to your ex in the courtroom even if he tried to say something to you. YOU are on the record, and the there is a protocol to follow in the courtroom and no one talks, even the lawyers with out the courts permission. Do what your lawyer says, and keep your emotion out of it.

We filed in August, there is a 120 day cooling off period in my state where nothing legal happens, the above was in December almost exactly 120 days. We set the trial for April, and that gave time for the appraisal, evalutions, etc.

This is about what to expect. Your lawyer was saying that you do not need to be there because, this is proceedural, which means it is the steps to put in on the calender. As I said I was out in the hall, but my lawyer wanted me there, he wanted the judge to see me. He wanted the judge to see me, put a face to the case as I say. I wanted be there, wanted my stbx to see me and to know I meant business and I was not longer act as his and mine attorney any more..

I have some rules for courtroom behavior. Dress professionally as respect to the court. Not a suit, but nice slacks and a sweater. No jeans, no gum, no beverages. Leave your cell phone in the car, if it has a camera in it you can not bring it in a courthouse in todays world. You will go thru a metal detector. I took a box cutter away from someone I went with on an eviction, I asked just in the nick of time, in the parking lot. Be on time, be early. Do not address the judge or anyone unless you are asked, and then wait for your attorney to prompt you. I saw my attorney for a social christmas visit. He wants me to go into business as a advocate. Help with all the above, help get Cobra, a mortgage or refinance, etc. I am thinking about it, I was working on my business plan.. This helped me, prompted me about the courtroom ettiquette.

My usual long winded answer, I hope this helps! This is all proceedural. They do this every day, all day.

the first time they pretty much lay out a timeline of commitment dates

Thanks guys. Thank you Ms. Terey you are so well informed - I love it.