The trial preparation conference is procedurally similar to your 1^st appearance. You and your former spouse will be before a judge. TPCs occur before trial to ensure you are ready for trial. The purpose is to sort out any last minute issues, such as getting documents that are still undisclosed, or updating the judge on your witness list. The TPC usually happens six weeks before the trial date.

At the TPC, the judge can:

1. order you exchange witness lists
2. order you exchange summaries of your evidence
3. order you exchange documents that either of you plan to use at trial
4. estimate the time required for trial
5. set trial date

What to expect:

• You will be called from the court list and probably only be before the judge briefly  
• There will likely be other people in the courtroom while you talk
• If it looks like you won't be ready for the trial, the judge will adjourn, or postpone, the trial date

To prepare before you attend a TPC, be sure to fill out the Trial Preparation Conference Worksheet.