Most people never step foot in a courtroom outside of jury duty. It can be a little intimidating to stand (or sit) in front of a judge, and even more intimidating if, for whatever reason, you need to answer questions from the witness box. Part of our job as Nashville divorce attorneys is to help our clients prepare for a day in court, so that the process goes smoothly. That is why we created this list of 10 tips to help you prepare mentally and practically for a day in divorce court.
- Get a good night’s sleep the day before the trial. Being physically drained will not help you to feel confident and composed.
- Get your attorney’s advice about what to wear. Your attorney may want to approve your outfit because what you wear sends a strong message about who you are.
- Review documentation. Your attorney will advise you on what documents you should review in order to prepare for court, and will also help you to prepare for questions that may be asked.
- Show up early to the courthouse. Allow time to find a place to park, make your way through security, and then to find your courtroom.
- Turn your phone off. If you have reasons why it needs to stay on – like a sick child or elderly parent you care for – turn the phone on silent, and make sure you tell your divorce lawyer why you did not turn it off.
- Give your attorney any documents or other information that you feel is important well in advance of your court date. They will decide what can be used at trial and will bring all necessary copies to court.
- Address the judge respectfully and look at him/her while answering questions from the lawyers. If you are questioned by the opposing attorney, be respectful to him or her, too.
- Remain composed regardless of what the opposing side says or does. Resist the urge to roll your eyes, sigh with frustration or shake your head in disbelief.
- Listen carefully to the questions and give short answers. Do not volunteer any information that has not been asked of you.
- Be prepared for delays. Your case might be set for 9:00am, but you could end up in court for a few hours before your case is heard. Make sure to clear your schedule and set up any child care you might need.
Of course, we can think of about a dozen more tips, but these should help you feel prepared. It is important to remind you to ignore what you have seen about court rooms on television or in the movies. They tend to overly dramatize the experience.
Divorce is hard, but when you have the guidance and support of a trusted Nashville divorce attorney from the law firm of Miller Upshaw Family Law, PLLC, on your side, you will feel confident about your ability to survive the ordeal and be prepared to move on with your new life.
When you know what to expect and you know how to prepare, walking in to the court room for your divorce trial does not have to feel intimidating. When you work with Miller Upshaw Family Law, PLLC, you can be confident that your interests are being protected. You may call 615-391-4200 or complete our contact form to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.
Karla C. Miller has devoted her entire career to the practice of family law in Tennessee. She attended Auburn University and Nashville School of Law, and upon graduation in 1996, she opened her own law firm and has been assisting families throughout Tennessee since then. Learn more about Karla C. Miller here.
