2. Fill out your forms
Question & Answer
What is a case conference in my family case and what happens at one?Before your , you have to fill out Form 17A: Case Conference Brief. In it, you:
- give some information about your family
- give details about your financial situation
- list the issues you and your partner agree on
- list the issues you and your partner don't agree on
- list the issues you want to talk about at the conference and include facts you think the judge needs to know
- include your ideas on how you and your partner can agree on the issues
If there are procedural issues, you list them for the judge in your case conference brief. For example, the judge can set a schedule or timetable for the next steps before trial and set dates by when you and your partner have to share documents.
If your case is in the Superior Court of Justice, there are several other rules you must follow. For example:
- you must use a font size of at least 12 points and double spacing on all your forms and documents
- your case conference brief can't be more than 8 pages plus acceptable attachments and other documents the Family Law Rules say you must . Examples of acceptable attachments include parenting assessments, financial statements, and separation agreements
- you can't attach emails, text messages, and social media posts as attachments. Relevant portions from them should be part of your brief.
Updated financial information
You may also have to give the court updated financial statements if they are more than 60 days old. You have to fill out, , and one of the following:
- A new Form 13: Financial Statement or Form 13.1: Financial Statement, if there has been a major change to your financial situation.
- A Form 14A: Affidavit, if there's no change or only minor changes to the last you filed. You must include details on all the changes.
You also have to fill out Form 13A: Certificate of Financial Disclosure. In it, you list all the documents that prove what you said in your financial statement.
