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 courtroom clerk and tell the clerk 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 the following papers with you to the hearing:
-
Complaint by Alleged Father to Determine Child Born Out of Wedlock
-
Case Inventory Addendum (if needed)
-
Any other party’s response that you received
-
Order for Genetic Testing and copies (unless the judge already signed it)
-
Order Regarding Request to Determine Child Born Out of Wedlock and copies
-
Your copy of the last Proof of Service you filed
-
Your copy of the Notice to Prior Court of Proceedings Affecting Minor(s) (if needed)
If genetic testing has already been ordered and completed, bring a copy of the test results.
When you are called, go to the place you are directed and answer the judge’s questions clearly and directly. If the legal father and mother are at the hearing, they will have a turn to speak. When someone else is talking, take notes. Do not interrupt. After the other parties are done speaking, you will have another chance to talk. Taking notes will help you with this.
Be prepared to say why the legal father’s paternity should be revoked. There are certain things you have to prove. To learn more, read I Want to Become the Legal Father of a Child Born During a Marriage.
The judge may sign the Order Regarding Request to Determine Child Born Out of Wedlock at the end of the hearing. If so, the judge will either grant your request to revoke the legal father’s paternity or deny it.
If the judge did not sign the Order for Genetic testing at the prior hearing, the judge might sign it now and set a date for a continued hearing or trial. If this happens, refer to Step 14 for information on doing genetic testing.
Ask the clerk to stamp the copies of the order. If the courtroom clerk cannot do this, you can ask for the copies to be stamped after the hearing when you go to the clerk’s office.
If the other parties are at the hearing, you can ask the judge to serve them with a copy of the order in the courtroom.