Tips for Appearing in New York Divorce Court

April 18, 2016

Divorces can get messy, especially when there are unresolved issues regarding alimony or division of property. Anyone who is about to embark on the divorce process needs to be ready for court appearances. Unfortunately, the NJ family court system can be confusing and often involves complicated rules that make an already-difficult situation even more difficult.

Before you set foot in court for your first divorce hearing – the first of what could very well be many court appearances throughout this process – you should be aware that there are certain things you can do to make sure that the judge treats you fairly. Here are a few tips for your first courtroom appearance:

  • Be aware of your facial expressions and body language: The judge can form an impression of you even when you are not speaking. So make sure that you are cognizant of any potentially negative body language or facial expressions. Additionally, make sure that you always appear interested in what is happening in the courtroom; you don’t want the judge to mistakenly think that you don’t care about the outcome.

  • Don’t be overly emotional: You need to remain calm and appear in control of your emotions. Of course, this can be difficult during a highly charged divorce hearing – especially if your spouse is making outrageous claims about you. But you need to be the bigger person and come across as the mature party in the case.

  • Come to court prepared: Although your lawyer will be able to advise you about what documents you need for a divorce hearing, it still helps if you stay on top of everything. At a minimum, this will give you something to focus on instead of worrying about your spouse or anything else in the courtroom.

One of the best ways to avoid an acrimonious divorce is to be prepared for divorce court. An experienced, knowledgeable family law attorney can help make sure that you are ready for whatever lies ahead.

If you are considering filing for divorce in New York, you need to speak with a qualified divorce attorney. Jonathan D. Katz is an experienced, knowledgeable divorce lawyer who can assist you throughout the divorce process. Contact Mr. Katz today to schedule a consultation about your case.

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