Walking into a contested divorce hearing in Paulding County can feel like your entire future is being decided in a single morning. Custody of your children, where you will live, and how your finances will look after the marriage all seem to rest on what happens in that courtroom. The process feels unfamiliar, and the idea of speaking in front of a judge while your spouse sits a few feet away is overwhelming.
You are not alone in feeling that pressure. We talk every day with people in Paulding County who are anxious about a contested hearing and unsure what the judge will look at, how to get their evidence in front of the court, or how much their own behavior will matter. There are, however, specific steps you can take, starting now, to bring order to the chaos and walk into court better prepared.
At Henrickson & Sereebutra, we regularly represent clients in contested divorce hearings in Paulding County and the surrounding courts. Our team brings decades of combined litigation experience, including former prosecutorial work, so we understand how local judges run their dockets and what tends to carry the most weight in a contested hearing. In this guide, we share the same preparation strategies we use with our own clients so you can approach your hearing with a clear plan.
What a Contested Divorce Hearing in Paulding County Really Looks Like
Many people picture a long, dramatic trial when they think about a contested divorce, but most hearings in Paulding County are more structured and time-limited. A contested divorce means you and your spouse do not agree on one or more major issues, so the judge must make decisions after hearing evidence. Those issues can include child custody, parenting time, child support, alimony, or how to divide the home and other property. The hearing is the judge’s opportunity to see and hear enough to make those decisions.
In Georgia, contested divorce hearings can be temporary or final. A temporary hearing usually happens earlier in the case and focuses on short-term arrangements, such as where the children will live, who will pay which bills, and what support, if any, one spouse should pay while the case is pending. A final hearing addresses the long-term outcome and typically results in a divorce decree. In Paulding County, temporary hearings often move quickly, and the orders that come out of them can shape the status quo until the final hearing.
The day of a hearing typically starts with checking in at the Paulding County Superior Court. You and your lawyer will either sit in the courtroom or a nearby hallway until your case is called. When it is time for your hearing, you and your spouse usually sit at separate counsel tables with your attorneys, and the judge sits on the bench facing the room. Hearings may last from a few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the number of issues and the amount of evidence. Because time is limited and judges hear many cases in a single day, preparation and organization matter far more than long speeches.
Our familiarity with how Paulding County Superior Court typically runs these calendars helps us set realistic expectations with clients. We know that judges expect both sides to be ready, to have exhibits organized, and to move through testimony efficiently. We use that knowledge to shape how we present your case so that the judge can follow your story clearly within the time available.
Key Issues the Judge Will Decide at Your Contested Hearing
Understanding what is at stake in your contested hearing helps you focus your energy on the right preparation. In many Paulding County divorce cases, the judge will be deciding some combination of child custody and parenting time, child support, alimony, and division of property and debts. Each category has its own rules and practical considerations, and the judge will look for specific types of evidence to support what you are asking for.
For custody and parenting time, Georgia law uses the “best interests of the child” standard. In real terms, that means the judge will look at factors such as which parent has been the primary caregiver, each parent’s work schedule, the child’s school situation, the stability of each home, any history of substance abuse or family violence, and how well each parent supports the child’s relationship with the other parent. In Paulding County, judges pay close attention to patterns, such as who attends parent-teacher conferences or medical appointments, and whether communication between parents is reasonably respectful or constantly hostile.
Financial issues are decided using income information and documentation. Child support is generally based on the Georgia child support guidelines, which consider both parents’ incomes, health insurance, and certain child-related expenses. Alimony, when it is an issue, turns on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage. Property division follows an “equitable division” approach, which means the court aims for a fair, though not always equal, division of marital assets and debts. Documents like tax returns, pay stubs, bank and retirement account statements, and mortgage documents are critical in this part of the case.
At Henrickson & Sereebutra, we start by identifying which of these issues matter most in your situation. For some clients, protecting parenting time is the top priority, while for others, keeping the marital home or securing enough financial stability to restart after the divorce is most important. Once we know your goals, we build a strategy and evidence plan around those specific issues so the judge hears what truly matters to you, not just a generic list of complaints.
How to Gather and Organize Evidence for a Stronger Case
Judges make decisions based on evidence, not just feelings, so one of the most valuable things you can do before a contested hearing is to help build a clear, well-documented record. That starts with gathering the right documents. For custody and parenting time, this can include school attendance records, report cards, notes from teachers, medical or counseling records, and a calendar showing who handled pickups, drop-offs, and daily routines. For financial issues, you will want recent pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank and credit card statements, retirement account statements, and information about major debts like mortgages or car loans.
Electronic evidence is just as important and often just as mishandled. Text messages about parenting schedules, emails discussing money, and social media posts that show drinking, drug use, or disparaging comments about the other parent can all become exhibits in a contested divorce in Paulding County. Screenshots dumped into a folder at the last minute are hard for any lawyer to use effectively. A better approach is to export full-text threads when possible, label them with dates and subjects, and highlight the most relevant messages. For social media, take clear screenshots with visible dates and usernames, and avoid interacting further once you realize the posts may matter.
Witnesses can also play a role, but more is not always better. Teachers, daycare providers, coaches, or counselors can provide useful information about your child’s well-being, attendance, or behavior. Friends and family members sometimes help with background, but judges often give less weight to obviously biased testimony. We typically work with clients to create a list of potential witnesses and a short summary of what each person would say. Then we decide who genuinely adds value and who might simply repeat information that can be shown through documents.
Our proactive engagement approach at Henrickson & Sereebutra means we start this evidence process early. We give clients clear guidance on what to collect, how to organize it into digital or physical folders, and how to share it with us in a way that allows us to review and use it well before the hearing. We also talk openly about common mistakes, such as deleting messages, altering documents, or trying to surprise the other side with last-minute evidence, all of which can damage your credibility in front of the judge.
Working With Your Lawyer to Build Your Story for the Court
Even the strongest evidence can fall flat if your testimony is scattered or inconsistent. Working closely with your lawyer before the contested hearing helps you present your story clearly and in a way that makes sense to the judge. Preparation is not about memorizing a script, but about understanding the key themes of your case and being ready to explain them in a straightforward, honest way that lines up with the documents and messages you have provided.
Your testimony will usually start with direct examination, which is when your lawyer asks you questions in front of the judge. Together, we typically review the timeline of your marriage, your parenting history, major financial events, and the specific incidents that led to disputes. We focus on the most important points instead of trying to talk about every argument you ever had with your spouse. For example, instead of describing years of conflict in general terms, we might highlight a pattern of one parent refusing scheduled parenting time or repeatedly draining joint accounts without explanation, supported by calendars and bank records.
Cross examination is when your spouse’s lawyer asks you questions. This is often the part clients fear most, but careful preparation makes a real difference. We work with you on how to answer directly, how to stay calm when faced with uncomfortable texts or social media posts, and how to avoid arguing with the questioning lawyer. Judges in Paulding County pay close attention to how witnesses handle tough questions. A calm, consistent response, even when confronted with something you regret, usually looks better than defensiveness or anger.
Our decades of combined litigation experience, including time as prosecutors, shape how we prepare for both direct and cross-examination. We are used to thinking several steps ahead, anticipating how the other side may try to attack our credibility or twist certain facts. That allows us to flag vulnerable areas early, decide how to address them honestly, and reduce the risk that you will be caught off guard in the courtroom.
Courtroom Expectations & Protocol in Paulding County
Not knowing how to act in court adds unnecessary stress to an already difficult day. In Paulding County Superior Court, basic courtroom protocol is straightforward, but following it signals respect to the judge and can influence how your overall presentation is received. Plan to arrive early enough to park, pass through security, and find the correct courtroom without rushing. Dress in clean, modest clothing that you might wear to a job interview, avoiding anything overly casual or distracting.
When you enter the courtroom, phones should be silenced and put away. You will generally sit at counsel table with your attorney while your spouse sits at the other table with theirs. When the judge enters, everyone stands until instructed to be seated. Address the judge as “Your Honor” and let your attorney do most of the talking. If you need to speak directly, wait for a question, speak clearly, and avoid talking over anyone. Side conversations, eye rolling, or audible sighs while your spouse is testifying can make a strong negative impression.
Small practical details also matter. Arrange childcare so your children are not in the courtroom for adult testimony, unless the court specifically orders otherwise. Plan your transportation and parking so that traffic or delays do not make you late. Bring any documents or notes your attorney has asked you to have, but avoid bringing loose piles of papers that are not organized. A short list of day-of reminders written out the night before can help you feel more in control.
Because we appear regularly in Paulding County, we walk our clients through what to expect in that specific courthouse, rather than leaving them to guess based on television or stories from friends. We explain where to go, roughly how long they can expect to be there, and what kind of courtroom behavior local judges appreciate. That familiarity helps reduce surprises and lets you focus your energy on your testimony and your children’s future.
Common Mistakes That Hurt People at Contested Hearings
Many good parents and hard-working spouses walk into contested hearings with strong facts but undercut themselves through avoidable mistakes. One of the biggest is assuming that simply “telling the truth” without preparation is enough. Judges do want the truth, but they are also dealing with limited time and competing stories. If your testimony is disorganized, jumps from topic to topic, or does not match your documents, the judge may struggle to follow your version of events, even if you are being honest.
Emotional reactions in the weeks leading up to the hearing can also create damaging evidence. Angry texts to your spouse, long social media rants about the case, or messages sent late at night after drinking often show up as exhibits in court. A single message threatening to withhold the children or refusing to follow the temporary schedule can weigh heavily against you, even if the rest of your conduct has been appropriate. Similarly, coaching children to say certain things to a guardian, counselor, or the other parent, instead of letting professionals handle child's input, can backfire badly.
On the practical side, last-minute document production is another common problem. When clients wait to provide bank statements, tax returns, or parenting calendars until the week of the hearing, their lawyer has less time to review, organize, and use those materials effectively. Judges notice when one side has not met prior deadlines, ignored temporary orders, or appears unprepared. That can influence how seriously they take that party’s complaints or requests for relief.
At Henrickson & Sereebutra, we are candid with clients about these risks. Part of our proactive strategy is to identify potential problem areas early, whether that means advising you to step back from social media, documenting your efforts to follow temporary orders, or scheduling additional preparation time if new information comes to light. Our goal is to help you avoid learning hard lessons about these mistakes in the middle of your contested hearing.
After the Hearing: What Happens Next and How to Move Forward
The end of the hearing is not necessarily the end of your case, but knowing what typically comes next can make the waiting period less stressful. In some Paulding County cases, the judge may announce decisions from the bench before you leave the courtroom, especially for clear issues or temporary matters. In other cases, the judge may take the matter under advisement, which means they will review the evidence and issue a written order later. The timing for a written decision can vary with the judge’s schedule and the complexity of the case.
Once an order is entered, whether temporary or final, both sides are expected to follow it exactly. Temporary orders set the rules until the final hearing or further order, and failing to comply can hurt your credibility and even lead to enforcement actions. If the written order is confusing or seems different from what you understood in court, it is important to go over it in detail with your attorney. There are limited circumstances where a party may ask the court to clarify, modify, or reconsider part of an order, and your lawyer can advise you whether that makes sense in your situation.
We continue working with clients after the hearing to review the order, answer questions, and plan next steps. That may include documenting your compliance, keeping track of how the parenting plan works in practice, or preparing for any remaining parts of the case. Our focus is on helping you move forward in a way that protects your long term interests and your children’s stability, not just getting through a single court date.
Preparing for Your Paulding County Hearing With the Right Legal Partner
A contested divorce hearing in Paulding County is one of the most significant days you will face in your family’s life, but it does not have to be a leap into the unknown. With a clear understanding of what the judge will decide, focused evidence, thoughtful testimony, and solid courtroom preparation, you can present your story in a way that gives the court a fair and accurate picture of your situation. Preparation will not erase all uncertainty, but it can improve how your case is heard and understood.
Many people only realize what they could have done differently after the hearing is over. Our goal at Henrickson & Sereebutra is to get you ready before that day arrives. If you have a contested divorce hearing scheduled in Paulding County, or you expect one is coming, we invite you to reach out so we can review your issues, your evidence, and your goals, and build a preparation plan together.
Call (770) 212-3313 to schedule a time to talk about your contested divorce hearing in Paulding County.