Your first hearing about your child.
In most places the first hearing is about what happens next: what’s agreed, what isn’t, whether there are any safety concerns, and the steps towards a decision. You don’t need to be a lawyer to do it well. You need your papers in order, your points on one page, and a clear head.
If a child or anyone is in danger now, call 999 (UK), 112 (Ireland), 000 (Australia), 911 (US and Canada) or 111 (New Zealand).
The day itself
What happens, from the door to the next date.
Tap each part of a typical first hearing day. Where you live changes the names and who is there, but not the shape of the day.
A typical day. Yours may differ.
General information, checked against official sources on 2 October 2026. It isn’t advice about your case. The rules in their own words ↓
Before the day
Before the day.
Most of what makes a hearing go well happens in the days before it. Seven things:
- Read everything both sides have filed.Mark each point you disagree with, and the paper that shows why.
- Put your points on one page.What you’re asking for, and three or four reasons, each with the page that shows it.
- Put your papers in order.Numbered pages, in date order, with copies if the court wants them. Check what it has asked for.
- Have a practical proposal.Be ready to say what you’re suggesting for your child: which days, handovers, school, holidays.
- Write down your questions.Anything you don’t understand about the process or the papers. It’s fine to ask.
- Plan the day.Journey, photo ID, childcare, time off work. Arrive early.
- Look after yourself.Sleep, eat, and have someone to call afterwards. A calm parent is easier to hear.
Read any letter or order from the court carefully: it may tell you exactly what to send, and when.
Free tool
What to bring, ticked off.
A checklist for the hearing: what you’ll need from the court, your papers, and what to have with you on the day. Ticks stay in this browser; print it when you’re done.
A general list, not advice for your country or your case. Courts can have their own rules on what to send and when.
Got the date? Turn it into a preparation plan →
See it in the app
Your case, in order before you walk in.
- Add your papers.Applications, statements, messages, letters. Before the language model reads a word, names become tags.
- Every date on one line.What happened and when, each marked by its source: proven by a paper, mentioned in one, or your own account.
- It quotes the law where you live. Coming in early accessThe sections that apply to your case, in the law’s own words, with a link to the official text. Change the country above and it changes too.
- It prepares one page for the hearing.What they ask for, the dates that matter, what’s missing, and what to bring, each with its paper.
Sample case. Names and papers are fictional.
What the rules say
The rules, in their own words.
Five questions about the first hearing, answered only from the court rules and the courts’ own guidance, with the passage that answers it highlighted.
Quoted from the official text. It isn’t advice about your case, and laws and rules change: check the official site. In the US and Canada these matters are set by each state and province; California and Ontario are shown as examples.
Questions people ask
The questions that keep you up at night.
How long does a first hearing take?
It varies by court and by case. Plan for the whole morning, or the whole day: hearings often start later than listed, and you may wait.
Will I have to speak?
Probably, briefly. You may be asked what you’re asking for and why. Have your points on one page, speak to the judge rather than the other parent, and it’s fine to ask for something to be explained.
Can I bring someone with me?
Usually you can bring someone for support, and many courts let a supporter sit with you to take notes. They can’t normally speak for you without the court’s permission. Check with the court beforehand.
Will my child have to come?
Usually not. Children don’t normally come to these hearings; where their views are heard, it’s usually through a court adviser or a report. Arrange childcare. See “What the rules say” for where you live.
What if we agree on the day?
Tell the court. Agreements can often be made into a court order. Make sure you understand every word before you agree to anything, and ask for time to read it if you need to.
How do I address the judge?
Court staff can tell you. “Your Honour” or “Judge” is used in most of these countries, and magistrates are often “Sir” or “Madam”. Being polite matters more than getting the title exactly right.
You’re not alone
You don’t have to do this alone.
Legal aid isn’t available to everyone, so many parents do some or all of this themselves. Free and low-cost help exists: check whether you qualify, and get advice where it counts.
Showing help for England & Wales. Change it with “Where you live” above.
“I built this after going through it myself.” — Andrew, founder
With a lawyer or without one, walk in with your papers in order.
PROVEAiBLE reads your papers, sets out the facts with their pages, shows where the papers disagree, quotes the law for where you live, and prepares your papers for the hearing. It never tells you which legal step to take, or how it will turn out. Law for more countries: coming in early access
Sources, checked 2 October 2026
- England & Wales: Practice Direction 12B (Child Arrangements Programme)
- Ireland: Courts Service of Ireland; Courts Service of Ireland; Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (revised)
- Australia: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- United States (California): California Courts Self-Help Guide; California Courts Self-Help Guide; California Family Code
- Canada (Ontario): Government of Ontario; Government of Ontario; Government of Ontario
- New Zealand: Ministry of Justice (NZ); Ministry of Justice (NZ); Family Court Rules 2002 (NZ); Ministry of Justice (NZ); Ministry of Justice (NZ)
General information, not legal advice. Laws, rules and court processes change; check the official pages and your own papers before you act.