Court · 6 min read
What court day actually looks like
Where to sit, what to bring, what the judge asks, and what to say when the plaintiff's lawyer walks over to talk settlement.
Most debt cases never reach a trial. What they reach is a short hearing or a pretrial conference, often lasting a few minutes.
Before the date
- Bring three copies of everything you filed, plus your own records
- Bring a written outline of what you plan to say, in order
- Arrive early enough to find the courtroom and go through security
- Dress the way you would for a job interview
When you arrive
Cases are usually called from a list. Sit in the gallery until your name and case number are called, then walk to the table and stand. The plaintiff's attorney may approach you in the hallway first to discuss settlement. You are allowed to say: "I would rather discuss that in front of the judge," or simply, "Not today, thank you."
The rest of this lesson is part of the kits
This is the step-by-step half — the part you read with the paperwork in front of you. The rest of this lesson covers:
- • What each part of the document is actually asking you
- • The choices people commonly face, explained in plain words
- • The mistakes that cost people the most, and how to avoid them
It unlocks with any kit — $47, including the document builder, the buyer-only course, and 14 days of email support.
Free to read right now
- I was just served with a debt lawsuit. What do I do first?
- What is a debt buyer, and why is a company I never borrowed from suing me?
- Read your complaint with me, line by line
- How to vacate a default judgment on a debt
Educational information and document preparation only. Make Them Prove It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Rules and deadlines differ by state and by court, so confirm them with your court clerk or a licensed attorney in your state.