1.  What Happens Next

• The Judge will review all the documents. 
• Then, the Judge will order either:

Mediation

• The Judge orders mediation.
• Mediation done 63 days after the Order.
• Parents must tell the court what happened in mediation.
  • You do this by filing the Certification of Mediation Compliance form.

Order Entered

• The Judge will issue a final Order based on paperwork filed.

Hearing Ordered

• The Judge sets a hearing date.
• Both parents have a chance to show up and give information to the Judge.

2.  Forms

All Forms

 

• Court's Forms Page

 

Forms List

 

1.  Certification of Mediation Compliance - JDF 1337

• PDF Fillable   |   WORD
• Lets the Judge know you finished mediation.

 

3.  Terms

Discovery

 

• Parties exchange information with each other.
• You use this information to present your case to the Judge.
• You will do this if you have a hearing.

 

Parties

 

A term referring to the Petitioner and the Respondent together.

 

Mediation

A trained person that helps parties reach an agreement.

File & Serve

 

A phrase meaning you file the document with the court and give a copy to the other parties.

 

Post-Decree

 

A term used for cases like this.  Where the case is reopened to consider a issue with the case, like parenting time.

 

Sanctions

A penalty or punishment the Court can give to someone who violates an order.

4.  Court Order

• A Judge can make a post-decree Order based on paperwork the parties filed.
• A Judge can impose a penalty or punishment on the person who violated the order. This is called a sanction.
• The parties must obey this Order.

What do I do next?

Read the Order

 

• Be sure to read the whole Order.
• Make sure you understand the Order.
  • If you don't understand, contact the Family Court Facilitator or Self Help Center at the Court in your county. 
  • You can click here to find Family Court Facilitators and here for Self Help Centers.

 

Do what the Order says

 

• Do the things the Judge tell you to.

 

5.  Go to Mediation

If ordered by the Court.

    Find a Mediator

When you finish, file & serve:

• Certification of Mediation Compliance - JDF 1337