Your Day in Court What to Expect at a Divorce Trial
Most divorces can be resolved through mediation, which is good news for everyone involved. Taking a divorce case to trial is costly, time- consuming, and stressful. The attorneys at Bruce Law Firm work hard to avoid this outcome, but we take a small percentage of cases before a judge when it’s the only way to achieve a fair settlement. Here’s what those clients can expect. The first thing to know about Florida divorce trials is that a judge, not a jury, decides the outcome. It is one of the most significant downsides to going to trial — a person you’ve never met will determine your fate. While most judges strive to be fair, and your attorney will make the best case possible, the result is usually less ideal for both parties than if they had agreed on their own. For that reason, it’s worth noting that you can decide some aspects of your settlement through mediation while taking the others to court. The more matters you can resolve in mediation, the better. A judge will then only need to decide the remaining contentious issues.
sides give an opening statement, present evidence, call witnesses to the stand, and eventually conclude with closing arguments. Evidence may include bank statements, text messages, medical records, and call logs.
In many divorce cases, the two spouses are the only witnesses
called to the stand. But complex cases involving child custody, abuse allegations, or high net worth may involve testimony from other people. These witnesses can include those who knew you as a couple, were present for key events, or worked with you financially. Each side in the case has the right to cross-examine witnesses. After closing arguments, the judge will not issue a “verdict” at the end of the trial. Unlike criminal cases with juries, the judge will issue a
written ruling explaining their decision on each issue presented to them. Some judges release their judgments quickly, but others can take many months. In most cases, the judge’s word is final; appeals are possible but uncommon. We ideally want to avoid a day in court, but the best strategy will depend on the case and the people involved. Our attorneys will always guide you toward the best possible outcome after evaluating practical and emotional considerations.
Divorce trials are usually less dramatic than the courtroom scenes you watch on television, but they’re otherwise similar. Attorneys for both
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
Inspired by PrettyFluffy.com
Ingredients
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2 eggs
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1/2 cup dried cranberries 3–4 tbsp coconut flour
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 325 F.
2.
In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside.
Rosalie, Rebecca, Christopher, Sarina, and Ashley at an Inns of Court holiday party.
3. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries. 4. Once combined, pour in eggs and mix with your hands. (The dough will be very wet.) 5. Add coconut flour 1 tbsp at a time; mix well after each addition. You want to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll, is not super sticky, and easily forms a ball. 6. Roll out dough and cut treats using bite-size cookie cutters. Tip: Sprinkle a little coconut flour on top of your dough to keep it from sticking to the cookie cutters. 7. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, place your treats. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until crisp. Let cool before giving to your pooch!
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