Soc, need some hints tips or whatever, trial date in less than a month

[lissa68]

Melissa(lissa68)

Iowa District Court, all parties live in Iowa

Hubby-Pro-Se
Ex Wife-Attorney

Soc,

My hubby goes to trial in less than a month. He has a Original Petition for modification of custody and visitation, an Order to Show Cause, a Contempt Motion and an Amended Petition.  All go to trial on that day.


1.  Could you give me a heads up of what usually occurs in a modification trial? Kinda asking what the process or how it plays out.

2.  Any strategy you might be willing to share with hubby about trial?

3.  Besides not yelling or cussing at the judge, or argueing with him, any other hints you might offer?


Thank you sir for all your great advice,

Melissa

[socrateaser]

>1.  Could you give me a heads up of what usually occurs in a
>modification trial? Kinda asking what the process or how it
>plays out.

It's largely up to you to set the agenda, because you are the one instigating the action. So, you present your case, and the other party will cross examine and then they will present their defense, and you will cross examine. If you are concerned, then you need to attend some hearings with your judge presiding, and see how they go.

>
>2.  Any strategy you might be willing to share with hubby
>about trial?

If you think your case for contempt is strong, then I would try to have that heard as an entirely separate issue before the rest of the trial, because you want a ruling in your favor on the contempt in order to use it as a conclusive fact in your favor to bolster your case for modification.


>
>3.  Besides not yelling or cussing at the judge, or argueing
>with him, any other hints you might offer?

Try to reach a settlement. Trials are always a crap shoot. In a settlement, you retain some control.

[lissa68]

Melissa(lissa68)

Thank you very much, that was what I was looking for.



Melissa