Will there be a hearing?
No, not every divorce and family law case needs a hearing.
Uncontested divorces or child custody proceedings can often be handled without hearings. Even if both sides have attorneys, divorce can be negotiated without hearings, through mediation or informally.
If your lawyer negotiates a possible agreement and tells you things will not get better in a hearing, and that lawyer has experience before that particular court, listen to your lawyer.
In a high conflict case, hearings where each side attacks the other can further damage the relationship between parties who need to be coparenting.
Do I need a skilled attorney who is prepared to go to hearings or trial if needed, when negotiations fail or the subject matter is too grave to be negotiated? Yes.
April 5th, 2023
