A hearing is a court proceeding where a judicial officer addresses one or more issues in a family law case. Hearings range from brief status conferences to multi-day evidentiary trials. The type of hearing, the notice required, the evidence that can be presented, and the rules that apply all depend on what the hearing is for.

Temporary orders hearings address immediate issues while the case is pending. They are often held with limited time and limited evidence, which is why the written submissions before the hearing matter so much. Evidentiary hearings on contested issues allow both parties to present testimony and exhibits. Status conferences and case management conferences are administrative in nature.

In Maricopa County family court, Minute Entries serve as the court’s order following each hearing. Read every Minute Entry carefully the moment it arrives. The judge puts requirements, deadlines, and specific directives in Minute Entries. Missing something in a Minute Entry is not excusable. Calendar every deadline immediately.

Preparation for a hearing is not optional. Know what issues are before the court. Know what evidence you intend to present and how. Know what the other side is likely to argue. Judges notice when you are unprepared and the impression it creates is difficult to overcome. If you act as your own attorney, you are still held to the standard of an attorney in court and are expected to know all the rules of procedure and evidence.