Union County Family Court Hearing Rules
Child Custody/Support hearings
Typically in Union County there is a mandatory mediation at the Union County Courthouse with the court assigned mediator before any hearing. No attorneys are allowed to attend mediation. If mediation fails there is usually a temporary custody /support hearing before the permanent custody hearing. Pursuant to local rules each side has 30 minutes each to present their case. This includes time to call witnesses and cross examine witnesses of the other party. Typically several months after the temporary hearing there is a permanent hearing with no formal time restraints where the Court will make a final determination on custody and child support.
Typically in Union County there is a mandatory mediation at the Union County Courthouse with the court assigned mediator before any hearing. No attorneys are allowed to attend mediation. If mediation fails there is usually a temporary custody /support hearing before the permanent custody hearing. Pursuant to local rules each side has 30 minutes each to present their case. This includes time to call witnesses and cross examine witnesses of the other party. Typically several months after the temporary hearing there is a permanent hearing with no formal time restraints where the Court will make a final determination on custody and child support.
Spousal Support hearings
Typically pursuant to local rules each side has 30 minutes each to present their case at the initial post-separation support "PSS" hearing. This includes time to call witnesses and cross examine witnesses of the other party. Usually dissecting the Form 8 Financial Affidavit of each party comprises the bulk of the evidence and testimony. Typically several months after the "PSS" hearing there is an alimony hearing with no formal time restraints where the Court will make a final determination as to the amount and duration of support.
Typically pursuant to local rules each side has 30 minutes each to present their case at the initial post-separation support "PSS" hearing. This includes time to call witnesses and cross examine witnesses of the other party. Usually dissecting the Form 8 Financial Affidavit of each party comprises the bulk of the evidence and testimony. Typically several months after the "PSS" hearing there is an alimony hearing with no formal time restraints where the Court will make a final determination as to the amount and duration of support.
Equitable Distribution hearing
Union County requires a mandatory mediation with a private mediator to encourage settlement where each side must share the expenses. Both parties must complete a Form 14 Equitable Distribution Affidavit that identifies all the marital assets and debts. If mediation fails there will be a full hearing before the Judge to divide martial assets and debts. These hearings can take several hours to several days depending on the number of witnesses, whether there are expert witnesses such as appraisers, and value and size of the martial estate.
Union County requires a mandatory mediation with a private mediator to encourage settlement where each side must share the expenses. Both parties must complete a Form 14 Equitable Distribution Affidavit that identifies all the marital assets and debts. If mediation fails there will be a full hearing before the Judge to divide martial assets and debts. These hearings can take several hours to several days depending on the number of witnesses, whether there are expert witnesses such as appraisers, and value and size of the martial estate.