Family Law – Overview of Divorce (Part 3/4)

Phase 3: Resolution: If the case does not settle during the period of time leading up to your court date (discovery/waiting period), then the resolution phase of your divorce will begin approximately one month before trial. At this point, you will begin preparing witnesses, testimony, and assemble the necessary evidence to litigate your case in front of a Judge. Generally, the collection of evidentiary documents has ended, and you spend this time preparing for trial. At trial, you present your case, your spouse will present his or her case, and a Judge or Magistrate will make a final decision regarding the issues that were addressed at trial. The Order might be made at the end of the trial, or the Judge/Magistrate may render the Order after trial. Most likely, this will be the date that a Judge/Magistrate enters your Decree of Divorce, the document officially granting your request for a divorce.