Your First Hearing: What to Bring & Expect

The first hearing sets the tone — and sometimes sets the order. Walk in organized.

What the court decides

Expect the judge to set temporary support, deadlines to exchange financial documents, and mediation or a final hearing. With complete information, some courts enter a final order the same day.

Bring three labeled sets

• Two years of tax returns plus W-2s/1099s
• Your most recent three months of pay stubs
• Proof of the child's health insurance premium
• Childcare invoices and receipts
• A completed guideline worksheet
• Current parenting-time calendar records and any existing orders

Present income cleanly

Be ready to explain each input — gross income, pre-tax deductions, insurance premiums, childcare, and overnights. Self-employed parents should bring a profit-and-loss statement backed by bank statements and propose averaging for fluctuating income.

After the hearing

Get the minute order before you leave, begin payments immediately, and calendar every deadline. The costly mistakes are missing income documentation, raising unrelated disputes, and assuming the judge knows your situation without evidence.

Since 1997, the attorney for child support team at Sinkin Law Firm has recovered unpaid support for parents statewide.