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FACTs HANDBOOK FOR PRO SE LITIGANTS

The following are suggestions only.

1. When filing a motion for a hearing, include all the evidence you intend to submit and a list of witnesses, i.e. pages from transcripts, medical records, expert documentation.  If you are dealing with an underhanded opposing attorney, you may want to be careful about showing your entire hand before the hearing.
2. Have 2 copies of documentation with you at the hearing, one for the judge and one for opposing counsel.
3. Don’t expect the Judge to allow a counter-petition at the same time.  He has the discretion to disallow this. 
4. Try to run your motion past someone in the group who has had a lot of experience with hearings.  They usually know what will fly and what won’t.
5. Ask for the Court’s permission in writing, to bring an assistant with you to help with the paperwork.
6. Do not agree to any court appointed GAL’s, psychologists, evaluators.  Stipulate that you would like to obtain background information on these people and maybe submit the name of someone of your choosing. 
7. If you are motioned for deposition, try to have both yours and the other parent’s done on the same day.  This will save you lots of grief.
8. If financials are requested, ask to have them exchanged on the same day also, preferably before the hearing, so that you have time to review them and refute them..
9. When scheduling a hearing, state the amount of time you will need.  Even if the other side does the motion, you are allowed to request more time.
10.  Always have a court reporter there.
11.  When appealing a decision or motioning for a recusal, submit at least one Court Watchers evaluation of the Judge with the appeal.
12.   Be aware that Police Reports can be excluded from a hearing if the Police Officer is not there to testify.