1) Dress well. If you are a man, wear a suit and tie. If you are a woman, wear something equivalent.
2) Be organized. If the judge asks for information, it looks good on you if you can find that information for him/her quickly - including supporting documentation.
3) Be professional. Be polite, attentive and respectful at all times. Do NOT interrupt the judge.
4) Stick to business. These judges don't care if your ex is terrible person, or badmouthed you to their friends, or spends your child support on designer shoes. Divorce is personal, divorce proceedings should not be. Anything you bring up should have direct relevance to the specific issues at hand. Mudslinging is right out.
5) Turn off your cell phone. Not just the ringer, the whole phone. My ex left hers on vibrate and every time she got a text (4 times during the proceedings) it interfered with the stenographers machine. The judge was NOT impressed.
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