One of the questions that may arise in your family law matter is “What is a Case Date?”
Read on to learn more.
Case Date Basics
A “Case Date” in Connecticut family law cases is a hearing before a judge to address various motions. Typically, they address temporary, or pendente lite, motions. Attorneys for both sides present evidence, and the judge issues a ruling. You may not have any Case Dates, or you may have multiple Case Dates — it all depends on the specifics of your divorce, custody, or other family law matter.
What Is a Pendente Lite Motion?
Pendente lite is a Latin term meaning “awaiting the litigation” or “pending the litigation.” It applies to court orders in effect while your divorce is pending. Divorcing spouses can ask the court to order multiple things to go into effect while the divorce is pending. For example, there might be a temporary parenting plan. Or, there could be pendente lite child support or alimony.
Read: What Does “Pendente Lite” Mean?
What Is a Court Hearing?
A hearing is a proceeding before the Court. The spouses’ attorneys present evidence and argue in support of their claims, after which the Judge issues a ruling.
Read: What’s the Difference Between a Pretrial and a Trial?
Hearings vs. Trials
Hearings and trials are similar in that they both decide important legal issues. However, for the most part, hearings are used to obtain temporary orders that will help provide stability until a divorce is finalized.
A divorce or custody action concludes at a final hearing. If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on all outstanding issues, your final hearing is an Uncontested Final Divorce Hearing. If you aren’t able to reach a final agreement, your final hearing is a trial.
The hearings that occur at Case Dates are not trials.
Read: What Is a Divorce Trial?
Read: What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Connecticut?
Case Date vs. Resolution Plan Date
Sometimes people confuse a “Case Date” with a “Resolution Plan Date.” Unlike a Case Date, a Resolution Plan Date (or “RPD”) is a meeting with Family Relations. At your Case Date, it’s possible that you’ll meet with Family Relations before your hearing itself begins. That said, the main feature of a Case Date is the hearing.
Read: What Is a Divorce Resolution Plan Date?
Read: What Is Family Relations in Connecticut Divorce and Custody?
Next Steps
For more information about Connecticut divorce and family law, check out our Divorce Information and Facts.
If you have questions or want to learn more about how our team of divorce attorneys can help you with your divorce or post-judgment issue, please contact us either here or by phone at 860-530-4221.
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