What to expect at court date

[intothewind]

The STBX and I have agreed to a lump-sum settlement and took our deal to an attorney who has drawn up the papers and can only officially represent me. We've signed them and I guess the next step is the attorney files with the county and we wait for a court date.

At the court date, what happens? Do we get called up to the bench and if we say we agree to the settlement, the judge signs off and we go our separate ways?

I haven't been in a court room in probably 25 years (a speeding ticket), so other than what I see on TV, have no clue what to expect.

[RC211V]

What's the court date for? If it is for some other thing, they might take it off calendar and tell you to file the docs since the hearing wasn't for that issue. The judge might sign it there... might depend on what the hearing if for.

[intothewind]

Oh, I don't know. I'm assuming we have to go to court to appear before a judge before the divorce is 'final'. I'll ask my attorney to clarify, but we have no issues we disagree on that would require a hearing.

It's a pretty simple situation. Been married 20 years, kids are emancipated, house is upside down, not a lot of money at stake.

[RC211V]

Pretty sure it's the same in every state, but I know in CA if there are no disputes, you just file the documents and as long as there isn't anything outrageous in the agreement (no support if you have kids, something like that), the judge signs the order and it is final, all done by mail and you don't have to go to court at all.

[Trevor]

Your lawyer should know procedure for the "uncontested docket" and organize a 5-min hearing to put this thing to bed.

What's the custody aspect looking like?

[intothewind]

Your lawyer should know procedure for the "uncontested docket" and organize a 5-min hearing to put this thing to bed.

What's the custody aspect looking like?

There's no custody issues, our kids are adults.