Hi
So we just had a settlement conference. Not sure if this is usual, but then Again I am realizing that nothing is the norm in FL.
They started late, as the previous case run over. Then the judge requested counsel only come into the room and he spent 30 mins or more with council. When our lawyer came out he had 15 mins to explain what the judge had decided would be the likely outcome of a trail.
It was a bit of a shock but we decided it was durable and we're were close to working with it. The judge had the lawyers back in and the other party flat out refused it, so the judge brought our lawyer and Mom in and Dads lawyer and Dad was on the phone. They were there for 5 mins and apparently the judge only spoke with the lawyers again but Dad who was on the phone kept talking and commenting. Then Mom was sent out and Judge talked to the lawyers again and it was all over.
Some money issues partially settled, no agreement on access and a motion for June 30 to sort out some summer access. As a trail will be set for January 2017.
They do have a SA I place, but the wording was vague and no clear times, therefore no ability to plan ahead and every visit begun with an argument. So we wanted a graduated schedule in place, so life to could move on.
My question. The judge had read the files and made up his mind before anyone said anything. So is that normal? Do judges have counsel in to discuss his ideas and not have the parents present?
It all seemed a bit of a blur.
And also, now we have looked at what the judge has indicated should be set up we can live with it. Do we suggest that we put in an offer that mirrors the judges offer. The Dad flatly refused it, but maybe will have thought about a costly trial over the next few days.
So we just had a settlement conference. Not sure if this is usual, but then Again I am realizing that nothing is the norm in FL.
They started late, as the previous case run over. Then the judge requested counsel only come into the room and he spent 30 mins or more with council. When our lawyer came out he had 15 mins to explain what the judge had decided would be the likely outcome of a trail.
It was a bit of a shock but we decided it was durable and we're were close to working with it. The judge had the lawyers back in and the other party flat out refused it, so the judge brought our lawyer and Mom in and Dads lawyer and Dad was on the phone. They were there for 5 mins and apparently the judge only spoke with the lawyers again but Dad who was on the phone kept talking and commenting. Then Mom was sent out and Judge talked to the lawyers again and it was all over.
Some money issues partially settled, no agreement on access and a motion for June 30 to sort out some summer access. As a trail will be set for January 2017.
They do have a SA I place, but the wording was vague and no clear times, therefore no ability to plan ahead and every visit begun with an argument. So we wanted a graduated schedule in place, so life to could move on.
My question. The judge had read the files and made up his mind before anyone said anything. So is that normal? Do judges have counsel in to discuss his ideas and not have the parents present?
It all seemed a bit of a blur.
And also, now we have looked at what the judge has indicated should be set up we can live with it. Do we suggest that we put in an offer that mirrors the judges offer. The Dad flatly refused it, but maybe will have thought about a costly trial over the next few days.
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