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Temporary Orders Hearings

In most divorces and child custody cases, there will be a need to have a temporary orders hearing. These hearings are designed to preserve the status quo and to obtain temporary orders from the judge that will govern your case until a final order is entered. Sometimes in complicated and heavily contested cases, it may be necessary to have multiple temporary orders hearings. Things that can be accomplished at this hearing are pretty broad. For instance, the judge can order temporary spousal support, temporary child support, possession and access schedules for the children, the exclusion of one party from the marital residence, drug testing, psychological testing, payment of certain debt obligations, and even the selling of certain assets such as the marital residence.

These hearings are not something to take lightly. Often this hearing is the first time the judge will hear from you and the other party. It is important to show well, and have your testimony and evidence prepared. These hearings are also the only time that you can normally be “blindsided” by evidence. To explain, in most cases, it is not possible for an attorney to conduct discovery on the other party to find out their side of the story and what evidence they have to support their positions. This is why it is extremely important for you to be completely honest with your attorney so they can be prepared for what the other attorney may try to spring on you. Some classic examples of evidence that attorneys like to use to catch the other side off guard are pictures of drug use, bad conduct posted on facebook, bad or incriminating emails, or tape recordings that show the other party is lying.

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