What to Expect at Trial for Family Law Cases?

If you’ve filed a family law case, you may be wondering what to expect at trial. Here’s some information to help you prepare. You will learn about Pretrial hearings, Evidence needed for a family law trial, and the role of the Scheduling conference administrator. You’ll also learn about the role of witnesses. And you can prepare for the trial by learning about the types of witnesses that are often called by attorneys.

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Pretrial hearing 

There are many ups and downs in a family law case. In many cases, you will only be aware of a few dates when anything major will happen. Like baseball games, the results of these trials will affect your life for years. Luckily, a pretrial hearing will help you avoid these ups and downs. The following are some of the benefits of a pretrial hearing. Listed below are the main reasons you should consider scheduling one for your case. 

Evidence needed for a family law trial 

There are many things to keep in mind when you’re preparing for a family law trial. Although the Evidence Code typically applies to divorce proceedings, informal judges may still review evidence that doesn’t meet legal standards. If you’re trying to win a divorce, knowing how to present evidence effectively can provide you with a distinct legal advantage. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of evidence in general. 

Witnesses to call 

Before calling lay witnesses to a family law trial, attorneys need to know what questions to ask them. Often, these witnesses have an obvious bias. One example is the mother’s testimony during the child custody trial. The opposing counsel will ask her about this bias and motivation. The witness must know the law and courtroom protocol. Listed below are some tips on how to prepare to lay witnesses for the trial. This information will be vital for your case. 

Scheduling conference administrator 

The first court date before a trial is a Scheduling Conference, which is designed to keep track of the case and schedule important steps. At this conference, the Family Magistrate will discuss the issues in dispute, as well as the court’s services and resources available to help parties reach temporary agreements. In addition, the scheduling conference administrator will set dates for other court events. During this time, the parties will be asked to complete a Domestic Case Information Report and a financial statement. These forms are available from the Office of Clerk of Court Civil Department. 

Appellate court review of the trial court’s ruling 

In most family law cases, appellate courts will review the ruling of the trial court only when there is an abuse of discretion, which is often the case in contested custody cases. There are three standards of review in such cases: abuse of discretion, clear error of law, and manifest error. Each standard is outlined below. If the ruling is not correct, the appellate court will reverse it and issue a new judgment.