How to Prepare for Court

Going to Court can seem scary to those who have never been. These tips teach you how to prepare for court and, hopefully, alleviate some of your fears.

What to Wear?

This is one of our clients’ biggest questions if they have never been to Court. When thinking about what to wear to Court, think of it as if you are going to a job interview. You want to show the Judge you respect the Courtroom and think this process is important.

Men don’t need to wear a suit, but you can, if you want to. Men should usually wear a button-down shirt with dress slacks and nice shoes. For women, a nice shirt with slacks, a suit, or a nice dress is appropriate.

What to Bring?

You cannot bring your cell phone, iPad, or laptop into the courtroom, so please leave them in your car. If you want to take notes during the hearing, you can bring your notes or a legal pad to write on.

Inside the Courtroom

You and your attorney will usually go into the courtroom together. Our office is right across the street from the courthouse, and our Attorneys will usually walk to Court with you. If it is a day that other cases are being heard, you want to be respectful during those hearings. When it is time for your case to be heard, the Judge will call the parties and their attorneys up.

The Judge will be in the middle of the courtroom, sitting on the bench. You will sit on one side of the courtroom with your attorney, and the opposing party will be on the other side with their attorney. Please always be sure you are respectful to the Judge, as well as the other attorney, when answering their questions. You should also be aware of your body language while in the courtroom. The Judge will always watch you, so try not to make it known if you are frustrated (easier said than done, of course).

After Court

Even if you have paid close attention during the hearing, you may still wonder “what just happened” after Court. Your Attorney will explain what happened, what the Judge decided, and the next steps after your hearing. You may even have questions in the days following the hearing, so follow up with your attorney until you fully understand what happened in court.

Need Help?

The Attorneys at Kane & Crowell Family Law Center have more than two decades of experience and are in Court daily. The most important advice we can give you is to listen to our guidance and ask questions if you do not understand. Our Attorneys and staff can make an anxious situation much more manageable.

If you are filing for divorce, have a custody situation, a probate matter, or need a will or trust, contact us at www.kane-law.com or by phone at (615) 784-4800. We handle cases in Wilson, Sumner, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, and Rutherford Counties. We are happy to put our experience to work for you.