1.) Refusing mediation sends a message to the judge that you are part of the problem not part of the solution. Even if there is no chance for the mediation to be successful, give settlement a chance. Judges in RI Family Court have busy calendars. Judges often look positively and encourage litigants to negotiate and attempt a settlement of the disputes before deciding the matter.
2.) Never interrupt the Family Court Judge while the judge speaks.
3.) Wear proper Clothes to your Rhode Island divorce, custody or family law hearing. This is not a football game. Don’t dress like your about to get another hamburger at a football tailgate. This is not a night club, so there is no need for short skirts. Don’t show your toned stomach or too much cleavage.
4.) There is no need to overdress. A litigant who wears a three-piece suit to court looks like they are intentionally trying to impress too much.
5.) Do not argue with clerks or Court personnel. Do not be rude to the clerk or sheriffs. Remember the judges will do everything they can to protect their clerks. You do not want to enrage the trial judge.
6.) “Moving out the home and allowing the other spouse to enjoy exclusive possession of your home during the divorce process is often a recipe to pay more in alimony/spousal support, child support, and to have limited contact with your children. When one spouse moves out, household bills such as the mortgage and utilities still must be paid, which the Court will often consider when the spouse living in the home petitions for financial relief. Thus, moving out can be a recipe for paying the expenses on two residences. Additionally, if you move out without the children, you establish a precedent that the children primarily live with the other parent.” MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
“Thinking Temporary is Really Temporary:
It’s often not. In custody cases especially, Courts want to know what the children are familiar with, and what their routine has been since the parents split up. Thus, agreeing to a “temporary” order where the other parent has the children the majority of the time will often put you at a disadvantage at a final hearing, since your children’s school, extra-curricular, and homework routines will all revolve around living with the other parent.” Mecelree Harvey lawyers,”
Article by East Providence Family Law Lawyer David Slepkow