A Divorce Trial Is Not Like Television

You probably have seen dozens of divorce trials depicted on television or in the movies. In New York, those fictional divorce trials are nothing like a real trial.

First, unlike the movies, a trial doesn’t take 15 minutes. Most trials last two to three days and sometimes even much longer. Although most trial dates occur on consecutive days, sometimes they occur weeks or even months apart. Since you are required to attend every day of your trial, you must be prepared to take off from work for these days.

Second, there may be a lot of waiting. Unlike television, you may be waiting in the courtroom for hours waiting for the trial to begin or even during the trial. This is because most Judges schedule multiple conferences or have other cases to attend to. Therefore, you should be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting.

Third, the rules of evidence apply in real life. In most television shows and movies, the screenwriters take many liberties and do not follow the rules of evidence. In real life, Judges strictly follow the rules of evidence. The rules of evidence are very complicated and beyond the scope of this article to explain.

Fourth, Judge Judy and a divorce trial have nothing in common. Television shows like Judge Judy are meant to entertain. In a real divorce trial, the Judges almost never act like Judge Judy (or her similar counterparts).

Fifth, you have to wait for a decision. After your trial is concluded, it is rare that the Judge issues a decision from the bench. Instead, the Judge will usually issue a written decision that may take weeks before you receive it.

When you are getting divorced, you need to be prepared. David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office have prepared numerous clients for divorce trials, custody trials, order of protection trials and other trials associated with family law. If you are thinking of getting divorced, and live in Suffolk County, Nassau County or New York City, call David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office at 631-239-1702, email at david@dbnylaw.com or visit our web site: www.dbnylaw.com. The Badanes Law Office has offices in Northport and Uniondale.

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