| Leaving your abusive partner, or non-abusive partner, | | | | permanent agreement, if not a motion must be filed. |
| is difficult and stressful: But, it is best for you and | | | | The fifth step is the motion. There is where it begins |
| your children. Going through court and "battling" | | | | to get expensive. You will provide affadavits (sign |
| against your abusive ex is also very stressful, time | | | | and sworn documents) and evidence to back up your |
| consuming and expensive. If you have never been | | | | claim and your case. Here your lawyer will argue on |
| through the court process, having a basic | | | | your behalf and either win or lose. A Judge WILL |
| understanding of what to expect is very useful for | | | | make a temporary decision at a motion. You will file a |
| you. | | | | motion if you and the other party could not come to |
| The first step is filing for custody, visitation and to | | | | an agreement at either the Case Conference or the |
| start the process. Here you will be given a court | | | | Settlement Conference. |
| date. | | | | Hopefully once a motion is filed and attended a |
| The second step is attending your first court date. | | | | permanent order is put into place. If not, you and |
| Nothing happens here, you simply schedule a date for | | | | your ex are going to trial which is even more |
| a Case Conference. | | | | expensive and stressful. |
| The third step is the Case Conference. Here a judge | | | | In summary there are 6 steps to family law. If you |
| will not make a decision, simply give their opinion and | | | | have just left your abusive partner, or non-abusive |
| try to persuade the parties to come to a temporary | | | | partner, having an idea of what to expect is helpful |
| agreement based on their opinion and experience. | | | | and assist you with your stress levels. As you go |
| The fourth step is if the parties (you and your ex) | | | | through the stages of the court process remember |
| could come to a temporary agreement, a Settlement | | | | to leave your emotions out of it and do what is best |
| Conference Date will be set a few months later. The | | | | for your children! It is difficult, but remember, they |
| Settlement Conference is pretty much the same as | | | | are what matters and they are what the court will |
| the Case Conference in that the Judge cannot make | | | | focus on! |
| a decision. Hopefully, the parties can come to a | | | | |