Elizabethtown parents do not always get along well enough to work out an agreement regarding parenting time. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to take their child custody issues to the courts. It would help if they knew what to expect and how to prepare for it.
Child custody hearings often take place in small settings with only a limited amount of time. During that time, the court will most likely want to hear from the parents, the child and any witnesses brought by the parties. Any documentation either party wants to provide the court is often provided ahead of time, but any documents should also be brought to court.
It would also help to anticipate any questions that may be asked by the court. An Elizabethtown parent facing a child custody hearing will want to prepare his or her arguments and answers to any potential questions. It would also be a good idea to prepare any witnesses for their testimony as well.
It may seem trivial, but a parent should also consider what he or she will wear to the hearing. First impressions are important, and a person’s manner of dress lets the court know how seriously he or she takes the proceedings. Another thing to know is that decisions in these hearings are often immediate and there may not be another chance to submit any other evidence without requesting a modification.
The more prepared Elizabethtown parents are prior to their child custody hearings, the less stress they may feel when the day comes. Understanding what is involved and how to prepare could go a long way toward meeting that goal. Considering what is at stake, it would most likely be a good idea to enlist the advice and assistance of an experienced family law attorney.