If spouses cannot agree on temporary matters, then you will have a hearing, and a Judge will decide the temporary issues.  The Court decides custody, visitation, child support, alimony, attorney fees, property use and debt payments on a temporary basis.

Tip: Make a list of potential witnesses with their names, addresses and telephone numbers to be used at the Temporary Hearing. The witness should support your request to be named primary caretaker of your children or secondary caretaker of your children. (Examples of good witnesses are teachers, daycare workers, neighbors and family members.)

Tip: Estimate how much it costs you to live in your home on a monthly basis. Such as the following expenses: mortgage or rent, taxes, insurance, electric, telephone, food, daycare, gas, lawn maintenance. Bring a Quicken or other similar summary for the year, if you have one. You will have to prepare a Proposed Support Decision, which lists all monthly expenses for your household and all your monthly debts. Start keeping copies of bills documenting your monthly expenses.

Tip: Before the hearing, you and your attorney should review your testimony, including your financial statement.  Provide your attorney with copies of all your bills, so that bills can be given to the judge as evidence, if necessary.

Tip: Never lie to your attorney. If you have done something illegal, immoral or just plain stupid, tell your attorney. He will advise you of the best way to handle your problem in court.

Tip: Never lie to the Judge. Once your credibility is questioned, the judge will likely believe your spouse’s side of the story.. Admit bad facts but do not try to explain them away. In many cases, a client has done something illegal, immoral or used bad judgment.

Tip: At a hearing, do not volunteer information unless your own attorney asks you to do so. Answer only what is asked. For example, if I ask you what color is your skirt? You would not answer, "I have on a green skirt, yellow blouse, purple shoes and white hat."