If your Tennessee divorce case is one that is high-conflict, it will likely need to be resolved in court. Although this can invoke feelings of anxiety or fear, you can mitigate these feelings by coming to court prepared. You can also calm your nerves by having a better understanding of what is expected while court is in session.
How to prepare for court
Gather any documents that are relevant to the case, and if possible, try to make copies at home. This is because it may be more expensive to make copies at court, and it may take less time and effort to do so at home compared to in court. Furthermore, you should bring cash in case you have to pay for parking or incur other miscellaneous expenses. Finally, you should bring water, medication and anything else that you absolutely can’t live without over the course of a day. It’s important to note that cellphones may be prohibited in court.
What to expect while in court
You should dress professionally for a divorce hearing and avoid chewing gum, smacking your lips or doing anything else that could be distracting to others. You should also keep any responses as short as possible to avoid annoying the judge or otherwise harming your case. You are also encouraged to take a pragmatic view of your case to determine what else you can do to obtain a favorable outcome in the matter.
A divorce can be stressful even if you don’t have to go to court. However, if you do, it’s important to be prepared and to present yourself in a positive light during a hearing. This may help to counter whatever is said about you in pre-hearing filings or during the proceeding itself.