When it comes to attending court for a child custody case or a divorce case, appearance counts. While it would be great if the only thing the judge would take into account is your ability to parent, as with anything, how you dress plays a part in their decision.
You want to look your best, and not lose credibility in the eyes of the judge simply because you didn’t dress appropriately. The appropriate outfit will vary based on the time of year (you don’t want to be sweltering during a Tempe summer), but whatever the season and your style, your goal should be to appear as mature and responsible as possible. More so, having an outfit you feel good in will help you enter the courtroom more confidently.
In today’s blog post, The Law Office Of Ronald Kossak is sharing a few tips for dressing properly for court hearings. Continue reading to learn more, and if you’re in need of a divorce lawyer in Tempe, contact Ronald Kossack today to schedule a consultation.
General Tips
Put yourself in the judge’s shoes
Instead of dressing for yourself, put yourself in the judge’s shoes and try to imagine their reaction to you. If you have time, you can also practice this by attending other child custody cases and see how the judge reacts to others. For example, what might their reaction be to flip flops and a tank top?
Think of yourself as a performer
Try to think of your court appearance as if you’re going on stage. That’s not to mean that you’re not going to be yourself and answer honestly in court, but if you’re not someone who normally dresses up, try to think of yourself as creating a costume for your performance in court. What would make you look more serious and sincere?
Consider other elements
Your appearance isn’t just your clothes, but also your hair, makeup, and behavior. If you have tattoos, considering wearing clothing that covers them. Do your makeup conservatively. If you like to chew gum, try not to in court. Your hair, clothes, makeup, tattoos, are all valid forms of expression, and adjusting for court isn’t about changing who you are, it’s simply preparing for a different context than you may otherwise be used to. And while it’s not fair that some appearances are judged more harshly than others, it’s important to try to make an appearance that the judge will look favorably on.
Appropriate Dress For Family Court
Some examples are dark pants, a skirt suit, dress shoes, pants with a long-sleeve shirt, and dark, non-patterned dress. Try to avoid skirts above the knee, sleeveless shirts, sneakers, open-toe shoes, and tight-fitted clothes. Try also to avoid T-shirts and athlete attire. If you don’t own any of these items, it’s worth scouring a thrift store, even just for this one occasion.
When it comes to jewelry, less is often more. Be sure to take a shower, shave, and wear more conservative makeup. Divorce court is stressful, so if you tend to sweat a lot, bring a handkerchief, or whatever else will help you feel more cool and confident.
The Law Office of Ronald Kossack – Tempe Divorce Lawyer
We are proud to represent clients in Tempe and the surrounding area, including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Ahwatukee. If you’re looking for a divorce attorney or divorce mediation, we’d be more than happy to talk with you about your options and what we can do for you. We also focus on areas of paternity, child custody, decision-making, child support, and modifications to existing court orders. Schedule a free consultation today.