Your day in court, without the panic

I have walked into a family courtroom with an attorney next to me, and I have walked in alone. Both times my stomach was in knots — but the second time I knew what to expect, and that changed everything.

This section is about the day itself: representing yourself when you have to, understanding what the custody words in your paperwork actually mean, and showing up prepared. It is my experience in Michigan, not a playbook for your case — every county and every judge runs things a little differently.