Going to court can be a nerve-wracking experience. People may buy entirely new outfits or practice their statements repeatedly to improve their confidence. Thankfully, you may not have to go into a courtroom, especially if you try to resolve your issues via mediation.
Family court procedures have shifted in over the past year, with more of the processes taking place via telecommunications. Virtual court can be very beneficial. It means that there isn’t a room full of people listening to everything you say while they wait for their turn in front of the judge. You can do everything from your own house if you have a good internet connection.
How do you prepare for an electronic mediation session or court hearing?
Test the software
Whatever program you will need to use for the session, download it ahead of time and familiarize yourself with it. Ask a friend or co-worker to do a practice call with you so that you can troubleshoot your microphone, your audio settings and how you appear onscreen. Knowing how to use the software will prevent technical issues from complicating the process or making it take longer than it needs to.
Choose a neutral or professional background
Your kitchen or your bathroom isn’t the right place to do a teleconference hearing, even if they are places in your house with the most flattering light. You may need to move lamps around or darken windows temporarily. You may also want to take down art or use a basic digital background so that your environment won’t distract the other people.
Properly preparing for virtual sessions can help set you up for success in your family law matters. That includes having experienced legal guidance.
