These are brief instructions about attending your court hearing. For more detailed instructions about going to court, watch the Going to Court video. If your hearing is going to be held through Zoom instead, read Remote Hearings.
Go to the court on the scheduled day and time. Dress neatly. Arrive 10 or 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing time. Go to the clerk and tell them your name, that you are there for a hearing, and that you are representing yourself. Follow the clerk’s directions and do not interrupt any hearing in progress.
Bring all your custody papers with you to the hearing, including four copies of the approved (if approval is required) Order Regarding Complaint for Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support and the Uniform Child Support Order. Be prepared to answer questions from the judge about the statements in your Complaint for Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support.
When you are called, go to the place you are directed and answer the judge’s questions clearly and directly. If the Defendant is at the hearing, they will also have a turn to speak.
If you are requesting a Referral Order
If you are asking the judge to refer your case to the Friend of the Court for a custody, parenting time, and/or child support investigation, bring several copies of the Referral Order you got when you used the Do-It-Yourself Custody Case (Unmarried Parents) tool.
If the judge signs the Referral Order, stop using these instructions and start using How to Request a Custody Order – Required Friend of the Court Process, beginning with Step 11: Case Scheduling and Friend of the Court Process.
If you are requesting an Order Regarding Complaint for Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support
If you are asking the judge to enter an Order Regarding Complaint for Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support and a Uniform Child Support Order, the judge will ask you for your proposed orders once they have made a decision.
If the judge approves your proposed orders, the judge will sign all copies of the forms.