What happens at final trial?

At trial, the fact finder (judge or jury) hears testimony from the parties and any other witnesses, reviews the evidence deemed admissible for consideration, and renders a decision on the pertinent issues. A final trial can be on a few limited issues if the parties reached an agreement on the other issues, or can be on all issues. Trials are always tedious, and often time-consuming and expensive due to the time involved for preparation, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial issues. Family court trials usually have a judge as the fact finder but may often be to a jury if one is requested.

Once the decision is rendered, the attorneys draft the divorce decree and closing documents to conform to the decision. After the documents are drafted, the decree is signed by the judge.