What is a trial management conference in my family case and what happens at one?
A judge schedules a when they think you and your partner can't resolve your issues and your case has to go to trial.
The goal of a trial management conference is to get you and your partner ready for your trial and to try one last time to settle your case.
There are Family Law Rules that tell you what is needed at every step in a court case. Rule 17: Conferences tells you what you need to do to prepare for your trial management conference and what happens at one.
Both of you must give the court information about how you plan to present your case at trial. This includes the witnesses and documents you plan to use.
Trial management conferences are held either in a courtroom or a conference room at the courthouse. If you and your partner don't have lawyers, it's likely to be in a courtroom.
Usually there is a board near the entrance to the courthouse or outside each courtroom that lists the cases being heard in court that day with their room number. If you have trouble finding this list or your room, ask for help at the court counter.
Keep enough time in your schedule for your conference. You should plan to spend at least half a day in court. While conferences generally take about an hour, the judge may ask you and your partner to take time to discuss and try to resolve your issues.
Get legal help
You can talk to a lawyer who can help you with your trial management conference. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer for your whole case, some lawyers provide “unbundled services” or “limited scope retainer” services. This means you pay them to help you with part of your case.
If you can't afford to hire a lawyer at all, you may be able to find legal help in other places.
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Other arrangements
If you need an interpreter or any other arrangement because of a disability, speak with the Accessibility Coordinator or any staff member at the courthouse about what you need.
