Massachusetts Support Collection Lawyers

Your Court Appearance

In an action relating to unpaid alimony or child support, both parties to the Complaint are likely to be required to make an appearance before the court.  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently released a list of guidelines for what to expect when appearing before a judge:

1. Dress in a way that shows respect for the court.  You do not have to buy new clothes for court but halter tops, worn out jeans and t-shirts are not appropriate.  Don’t chew gum, eat or drink in the courtroom.

2. Be on time.  If you miss your hearing, the judge can make orders that you may not agree with and which may seriously affect you and your children.

3. Do not bring children into court.  Many of the topics discussed in court are not appropriate for young children.  Please arrange for a friend or relative to watch your children while you are in court.

4. Stand when the judge enters or leaves the courtroom.  The court officer will tell you when to sit and stand.  If you are in doubt, stand when the judge is standing.  You can usually sit down once the judge is seated, unless you are speaking with the judge.

5. Stand and speak with the judge talks to you.  Remain standing as long as you and the judge are talking.  You may need to stay standing even if the judge talks to the person on the other side of your case.  If in doubt, ask the judge before sitting down.

6. The judge will let you know when to speak.  Never get into an argument or even a discussion with the other side in front of the judge.  Always speak directly to the judge, unless the judge allows you to answer formal questions from the other side.

7. Speak clearly.  You need to speak and not just nod or shake your head because court proceedings are always recorded.  Listen carefully to the questions you are asked.  Be direct and to the point when answering questions.

8. Always address the judge as “Your Honor.”  The judge must keep order in the courtroom and will be making important decisions about you and your children.  Be respectful and understand that the judge likes to keep the proceedings as orderly as possible.  This helps keep the process fair to everyone.

9. Your case may be “taken under advisement.”  This means that the judge needs time to think about how to decide your case and the court will mail the decision to you or your lawyer once it is made. 

10. Do not talk on your way out or even right outside the door.  Many times another hearing starts as soon as yours ends.  Your talking can interfere with the next case.

Attorney Irwin M. Pollack, founder of the Massachusetts Family Law Group and The Law Offices of Irwin M. Pollack, focuses his practice primarily on divorce, child support & alimony, custody & visitation, property distribution, modification & enforcement and business valuation in Boston communities including Andover, Lexington, Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Topsfield, Marblehead, Swampscott, Manchester, Natick, Framingham, Marlborough, Sudbury, Dover, Duxbury, South Shore, North Shore, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Holden, Cape Cod, Sharon, Foxboro, Newton, Needham and Chestnut Hill.  Contact the Massachusetts Support Collectors for a free, no-obligation consultation or call (781) 461-9800.