What if the case is not uncontested?
In any family case where the parties do not have an agreement, it may be handled in a way that gives the parties a chance to settle the case. For example, the case may be assigned for a Special Masters pretrial, where experienced attorneys who volunteer their time meet with the attorneys and the parties in the case to try to solve the issues. There are a number of other programs to help the case to be decided without a trial. Which program is right depends on the case. If the case can be decided without a trial, it can be handled as an uncontested case, sometimes on the same day. However, if the parties are not able to agree, a hearing or trial will be needed and a judge will decide, or a family support magistrate will decide if it is a IV-D child support case.
