A child custody hearing is one of the most intense legal experiences a person can go through. Fighting for custody of your child is a stressful situation and you should familiarize yourself with everything needed to prepare for a hearing.
Preparing for a child custody hearing in Saratoga Springs requires gathering evidence, contacting potential witnesses, and familiarizing yourself with court procedures. This can be a complicated process, so it is important to seek representation in the form of a skilled child custody attorney who could work to get you a positive outcome.
One of the most important things an attorney could do is gather evidence. The evidence-gathering process should begin well in advance of the trial. Even if the parent chooses to seek representation from an attorney, they should familiarize themselves with the process.
The first step in preparing for a local child custody hearing is to identify the weaknesses in the case that can be made stronger through evidence and witness testimony. Second, the parent must decide what to focus on when given the opportunity to provide testimony. They should focus only on the issues identified in their original request for a court order.
In addition to witnesses, some other acceptable forms of evidence include:
A parent should submit all of their filings to the judge to best prepare for the Saratoga Springs child custody hearing. An attorney should make sure that these filings happen accurately and on time and copies of the court filings should be brought as well. Parents should check with New York code to ensure that all rules of evidence are being followed.
Furthermore, the parent should prepare the witnesses they wish to be present for the hearing. Judges will occasionally require the parent or their attorney to sit down with the witnesses to discuss what will happen in court. Even if witness preparation is not required by the judge, it is highly recommended to prepare the witnesses in order to make sure they stay calm and on-message during questioning.
If parents fail to reach a settlement on custody, the court will schedule a hearing. The time it takes to get a hearing depends on several things, including the court’s schedule and the amount of discovery required. It is important to note that family court tends to have a busy calendar, so the wait for a hearing may last longer. It is not uncommon for the hearing date to be moved, due either to the judge’s schedule or requests for more time from either parent.
If you are facing a child custody hearing, you need to be as prepared as possible. Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are represented. Preparing for a child custody hearing in Saratoga Springs requires legal knowledge and hard work, so it is important to get started as soon as possible.
It can be stressful to prepare for your child custody hearing, but you should not leave such an important event to chance. Hire an attorney now to ensure that you are treated fairly by the court.
Colwell Law
N/a
(518) 462-4242
513 Broadway