A little levity, with a real point underneath it: things people have actually said in court, to their attorney, or to their ex — and lived to regret.
Never say to the judge
- Anything sarcastic, dismissive, or challenging their authority
- Anything about your cell phone ringing, or that you don’t have time for this
- Anything implying bias based on their own life experience
Never do during your case
- Show up late, or under the influence of anything
- Call the other side’s attorney to argue
- Coach your kids to testify against your ex
- Lose your temper in the courtroom or the hallway
- Lose or destroy important paperwork
Never say about your ex in front of the kids
- Anything implying you wish harm on them
- Anything about their appearance, character, or parenting
- Anything implying they don’t love the kids, or aren’t their “real” parent
Kids from separated families often already carry guilt about the split itself — don’t add to it. And whatever your ex says or does, responding in kind rarely helps your case or your kids.