If you have a contested family law hearing on your calendar in Florida, you might be lying awake at night wondering what will actually happen in that courtroom. You may be picturing dramatic scenes from television and worrying that one short hearing will decide everything about your children, your money, and your future. That uncertainty alone can feel overwhelming and make it hard to focus on anything else.
You are not alone in feeling that way. Many parents and spouses across Broward County and the rest of South Florida walk into the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach or other family court locations with the same knot in their stomach. Once you understand the stages of a contested hearing, the rules that shape what the judge can do, and what usually happens at each point on the timeline, the day becomes much less mysterious and easier to manage.
At The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa, P.L., we are a Coconut Creek-based family law firm that represents clients in contested hearings in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade family courts. We guide people through custody, timesharing, and support hearings from the first notice to the judge’s ruling. In this guide, we share how these hearings work in our local courts, what you can expect at each step, and how we prepare our clients so they feel ready instead of blindsided.
What A Contested Family Law Hearing In Florida Really Means
A contested family law hearing means there is a specific issue in your case that you and the other party cannot agree on, and the judge must decide it after hearing evidence. It is different from a brief case management conference, where the court checks on the status of the case, and it is different from a completely uncontested divorce where the judge is mostly reviewing an agreement. At a contested hearing, each side presents testimony and documents, and the judge makes a ruling on the disputed points that have been set for that day.
In Broward County, common contested hearing topics include timesharing and parenting schedules, parental responsibility for major decisions, child support, temporary or ongoing alimony, and sometimes specific issues like who will stay in the marital home. The hearing may focus on only one narrow point, such as which school a child will attend, or it may cover a cluster of related issues. The court usually sets a specific amount of time for the hearing based on how many issues there are and how complex they appear from the motions that were filed.
Many people are surprised to learn that the judge will not invite a full retelling of the entire relationship history. Instead, the judge expects both sides to focus on the specific issues that are noticed for that hearing. Another surprise is that not every contested hearing is final. Some are temporary relief hearings, where the judge sets short-term arrangements for things like support or timesharing while the overall divorce or paternity case continues. Final hearings, which may take longer, resolve issues for the long term and can lead to a final judgment on those topics.
Because we handle contested matters in these South Florida family courts regularly, we know how judges typically structure these hearings and what they are willing to decide in a limited time. That experience helps us explain to clients whether they are facing a temporary or final hearing, what the realistic scope of the day will be, and how to keep testimony focused on what the judge is actually allowed to change.
How Your Case Gets To A Contested Hearing
Your case typically does not reach a contested hearing overnight. It usually starts when someone files a petition, such as a petition for dissolution of marriage, a petition to establish paternity, or a petition to modify an existing order. The other party then has an opportunity to respond. Early in the case, both sides generally exchange financial affidavits and mandatory financial disclosure, which are sworn documents and records that show income, expenses, and assets. These documents often lay the groundwork for any support related hearings later in the case.
Before the court sets significant contested hearing time, judges in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties usually expect the parties to make a good-faith effort to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation. Mediation is a confidential process where a neutral mediator helps both sides explore settlement options. Many issues are settled at this stage, but not all. When there are sticking points on custody, timesharing, or money that cannot be bridged, a contested hearing becomes necessary so the judge can make a decision.
The path from disagreement to hearing involves scheduling. Either party, or both through their attorneys, may file a motion asking the court to decide a specific issue. The court then sets a hearing date and time, which might be a short block, such as thirty minutes for a narrow issue, or a longer slot for more involved disputes. In busy South Florida family divisions, multiple cases are often set in the same morning or afternoon, which can affect when your case is actually called and how strictly time limits are enforced.
We help clients understand that a contested hearing is not a sign that they have failed at cooperation. Sometimes, despite everyone’s efforts, there are core disagreements that only a judge can resolve. Our role is to make sure that by the time a hearing is scheduled, we know exactly which issues are on the table, what evidence we will need, and how the schedule set by the local court affects our strategy for presenting your case.
How We Help You Prepare Before The Hearing Date
Preparation is where much of your anxiety can be turned into action. As the hearing approaches, we sit down with you to identify exactly which issues will be decided and what proof supports your position. For a child support or alimony hearing, that often means gathering pay stubs, tax returns, bank records, and documentation of necessary expenses such as health insurance or daycare. For custody and timesharing disputes, we look at school records, medical information, communication between parents, and any parenting logs that show who has been caring for the children and how they are doing.
We also prepare your testimony. That does not mean scripting you, but it does mean practicing how to answer questions clearly and directly. Many people understandably want to vent about everything that went wrong in the relationship. In a time-limited hearing, that can backfire, because it can distract from the facts that actually matter to the judge’s decision. We work through mock questioning with you, so you get used to focusing on concrete examples, such as specific dates, exchanges, or financial figures, instead of broad accusations or generalities.
Practical details matter as well. We talk with you about what to wear so you present yourself respectfully to the court, when to arrive so you are not rushing through security, and where you will meet us in the courthouse. We also discuss who should and should not come. In many cases, bringing children or a new partner to a contested family hearing is not advisable and can add unnecessary tension. Knowing these details in advance can significantly reduce stress on the day of the hearing and help you feel more in control.
Just as important, we set expectations about possible outcomes. We explain the range of realistic results, whether the hearing is temporary or final, and how each potential outcome might affect the rest of your case. Our firm is committed to both aggressive advocacy and sound advice, so we do not simply promise the best case scenario. Instead, we prepare you for several possibilities and build a strategy that presents your strongest case within the rules and practices of our local courts.
What To Expect When Your Contested Hearing Starts
On the day of your hearing, you usually start by arriving at the courthouse early enough to get through security, find the correct courtroom, and meet with us before the judge takes the bench. In Broward County and other South Florida family divisions, the courtroom may already be full of other families waiting for their cases. It is common for several hearings to be set for the same time block, so you may have to wait while the judge works through the docket before your matter is called.
When your case is called, the judge will ask the lawyers to announce their appearances and may briefly confirm what issues are being heard. Sometimes the judge sets or reminds everyone of time limits at this point, especially if the calendar is crowded. These ground rules can feel abrupt, but they are part of how judges manage heavy caseloads. Knowing in advance that you may have a limited window to present your case can help you understand why we have focused so much on prioritizing key points during preparation.
The usual order of a contested hearing involves each side presenting evidence and questioning witnesses. Often, the party that filed the motion or whose issues are primarily at stake goes first. We may make brief opening remarks to frame the issues for the judge, then call you or other witnesses to testify. The other side will have the chance to cross-examine, and we will have an opportunity to ask follow-up questions. Documents, such as financial records or school reports, are introduced through witnesses so they become part of the record in a way the judge can rely on.
Another part of the hearing day that surprises many people happens outside the courtroom. It is common for attorneys to discuss settlement in the hallway before the case is called, especially if new information has surfaced or the judge has signaled a likely direction at an earlier conference. Sometimes, last minute agreements can narrow or even resolve some of the issues that were set for hearing. We use this time strategically, advising you about the pros and cons of any proposals in light of what we know about the judge’s usual approach and the strength of the evidence.
Because we appear in these family courtrooms on a regular basis, we have a practical sense of how each judge likes hearings to run. Some are strict about time limits and interruptions, others are more conversational, but all expect organized presentations and respectful behavior. We structure our presentation to work within those expectations, so the judge can clearly see your position and the evidence that supports it.
How Judges Evaluate Custody, Timesharing & Support
For parents, the most pressing questions are usually about custody and timesharing. In Florida, judges apply a “best interests of the child” standard when making these decisions. In plain terms, that means the judge is looking at what arrangement will best support the child’s safety, stability, and healthy development, not which parent feels more wronged. Factors can include each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, the history of each parent’s involvement, the child’s school and community ties, and each parent’s willingness to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent.
Judges also pay attention to practical realities like work schedules, distance between homes, and how well parents communicate about homework, medical care, and extracurricular activities. If there are documented safety concerns, such as substance abuse or domestic violence, those become very important and are usually addressed through specific evidence rather than general accusations. A parenting log that shows who takes the children to school, who attends medical appointments, and how exchanges are handled can be more persuasive than emotional testimony alone and can help the judge see day-to-day patterns.
Child support and alimony are decided differently. For support, Florida courts rely heavily on financial affidavits, income documentation, and guideline calculations that take into account each parent’s income, allowed deductions, and the number of overnights the children spend with each parent. Alimony decisions consider the requesting spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay, as well as factors like the length of the marriage and the standard of living during the marriage. In hearings about money, judges generally prefer solid numbers over estimates and expect parties to back up claims with documents.
Many people assume that judges will automatically favor mothers, higher earners, or the parent who sacrificed more during the marriage. In our work with complex and contested family law matters, that is not how South Florida family judges approach these cases. The court must apply the law, which focuses on best interests and financial realities, not gender or moral judgments about who was the “better” spouse. We build our hearing strategies around those legal standards and the specific facts of your case, so that what the judge is required to weigh is front and center in your presentation.
What You Should & Should Not Do During The Hearing
Once you understand the structure of the hearing and what the judge will be looking for, the next question is often how you should act during the proceeding. Judges watch more than just what you say on the witness stand. They notice how you carry yourself while the other side is testifying, whether you listen to questions and answer them directly, and whether you respect the court’s process. Simple things, like addressing the judge as “Your Honor,” waiting until a question is finished before answering, and avoiding conversations while others are speaking, all contribute to how seriously the court takes your position.
There are also common mistakes that can hurt your credibility. Eye rolling, sighing loudly, shaking your head, or whispering angrily while the other party testifies can distract the judge and signal that you are more focused on conflict than solutions. Interrupting, even when you feel the other side is lying, can lead to admonishments and waste precious minutes that could be used to present your own evidence. We coach clients to take notes during the other side’s testimony instead, so we can address any inaccuracies through proper questioning when it is our turn.
If you do not understand a question, it is appropriate to say so and ask for it to be repeated or clarified. If you feel overwhelmed and need a moment to collect yourself, we can request a short break. Part of our role as both advocate and ally is to help you navigate those moments, protect you from unfair questioning, and keep the focus on what the judge must decide. You are not expected to know all the rules of evidence or procedure. That is our job, and we are there with you throughout the hearing.
Finally, remember that a contested hearing is not the place to rehash every hurtful event from the relationship. The most effective testimony is specific, factual, and tied directly to the issues the judge must decide. We work with you ahead of time so you know which parts of your story matter most for this hearing, and so you can feel more confident that you are helping your case instead of accidentally overwhelming the court with information it cannot use.
After The Judge Rules: What Happens Next
At the end of the hearing, the judge will typically announce at least some decisions from the bench. Sometimes the ruling is brief and focused, such as setting a temporary support amount or approving a revised timesharing schedule. Other times, especially after longer hearings, the judge may take the matter under advisement and issue a more detailed decision later. Even when the judge explains the decision orally, a written order is usually needed before the ruling becomes clear and enforceable.
The process of getting from an oral ruling to a signed order can vary by courtroom. Often, one attorney is asked to prepare a proposed order that reflects the judge’s ruling, then share it with the other side for review before it is submitted for the judge’s signature. In a busy family division, it can take some time for the written order to be signed and entered into the court record. Once that happens, you typically receive a copy from your attorney or from the court, and the terms of that order will govern what each party must do.
After the hearing, we sit down with you to go over what the judge decided, answer your questions in plain language, and talk about what comes next. If the order is temporary, we help you understand how it fits into the rest of the case and what steps we need to take to move toward a final resolution. If the order is final on certain issues, we discuss compliance, potential modification in the future if circumstances change, and whether any form of appeal or reconsideration is realistic based on deadlines and legal standards.
We know that the stress of a contested hearing does not end when you walk out of the courtroom. Orders can have immediate practical consequences for your schedule, your finances, and your children’s routines. Our commitment is not only to present your case aggressively in court, but also to guide you through understanding and living under the orders that follow, so you are not left feeling lost after a long and emotional day.
When To Get Legal Help For A Contested Family Law Hearing
All of this makes clear that a contested family law hearing in Broward County or the surrounding South Florida courts is more than just a simple appointment on your calendar. It is a structured, time-sensitive process that can affect where your children live, how often you see them, and how much support is paid or received. The higher the stakes and the more complicated the facts, the riskier it is to walk into that courtroom without someone guiding you who understands how these hearings really work.
Some signs that you should not go it alone include complex finances, such as business ownership or significant assets, serious allegations involving safety or abuse, long-distance parenting or relocation issues, or an opposing party who is represented and highly aggressive. Even in less extreme situations, the rules of evidence, local court practices, and the pressure of testifying can be hard to manage on your own. Having a lawyer who handles these contested hearings on a regular basis can help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of the limited time you have before the judge.
At The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa, P.L., we work with clients throughout Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties through every stage of contested family law matters. We prepare you for what to expect, organize the evidence that matters, and stand beside you in the courtroom as both advocate and ally. If you have a hearing date coming up, or think one may be scheduled soon, we encourage you to reach out so we can talk about the specifics of your case and the best way to approach your day in court.
Call (954) 626-8071 to schedule a consultation about your contested family law hearing in Broward County or the surrounding South Florida courts.
