A preliminary meeting held in divorce proceedings facilitates the efficient progression of the case. This meeting, convened early in the legal process, involves the parties, their legal representatives, and a judicial officer, often a judge or magistrate. The primary objective is to establish a structured timeline for the various stages of the dissolution, ensuring all necessary steps are identified and addressed. For example, the parties might discuss the necessity of property appraisals or the need for a custody evaluation during this meeting.
The benefit of this initial conference is multifaceted. It helps to minimize delays, manage costs, and streamline the overall process. By setting deadlines for filing documents, completing discovery, and scheduling hearings, it promotes a more predictable and organized approach. Historically, without such early intervention, divorce cases could become protracted and expensive, leading to increased emotional distress for all parties involved. This structured framework fosters open communication and can potentially encourage settlement discussions, reducing the need for extensive litigation.
