Skip to Content
Hildebrand Law, P.C. mobile logo

What Happens at a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona

Purpose of a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona

Understanding a Resolution Management Conference

Let’s talk about what happens at a resolution management conference in Arizona. You are very likely to be scheduled for a Resolution Management Conference if you are going through a divorce, legal separation, or other family law case.

Resolution Management Conferences are normally scheduled 3 to 6 months after the initial divorce or other family law paperwork was filed.

In some cases, a judge will schedule an Early Resolution Conference within 1 month of the beginning of a family case. Judges do so to get an early handle on the management of the case.

You need to understand what happens at a Resolution Management Conference to be prepared for that hearing. No two divorce or family cases are alike. Some cases in family court are simple while others may be more complex.

Purpose of a Resolution Management Conference

The judge assigned to your case will, most likely, know very little about your case prior to the Resolution Management Conference.

Prior to the conference, the judge may have only seen the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and your spouse’s response to that Petition.

The information in those documents, referred to as pleadings, are typically very vague.

The judge assigned to your case does not have enough information to determine how the case should be handled.

As a result, you will be ordered to complete a Resolution Management Conference Memorandum.

You will include information about both parties, your minor children, and the issues you and your spouse agree upon and the issues you do not agree upon.

These issues can include child custody, child support, the division of property, and spousal maintenance.

U.S. News and World Report Votes Hildebrand Law, PC Best Law Firms for 2020 2021 2022 2023

This document helps the judge prepare for the Resolution Management Conference.

The purpose of a Resolution Management Conference is to allow the judge to get more information about the issues in your case.

This allows the judge to decide whether a settlement conference should be scheduled or whether your case should be set for trial.

A judge may order you to attend a Parenting Conference at this conference to resolve disputes concerning legal decision making or parenting time with your children.

If you have reached agreements in your case, you can tell the judge what those agreements are.

If the judge accepts your agreements, they become binding upon both spouses at that hearing.

The family law attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC know what judges expect at a Resolution Management Conference.

We utilize these conferences as an opportunity to shape the judge’s view of your case and how your case will be handled by the court.

Call the experienced attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC to get your case headed in the right direction.

Procedure at the Resolution Management Conference

What is a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona

Now, not all Resolution Management Conferences are handled in exactly the same way.

Some judges have their own preferences in how they conduct these hearings.

You will receive notice from the court setting the date and time you need to be present for the conference.

You need to read that notice carefully to determine if the court intends for the parties to testify and present evidence at that conference.

In a large majority of these hearings, the notice will indicate evidence will not be presented at the hearing.

If this is the case for you, the only thing the judge wants to know is the nature of the disputes between the parties and how the court can help get those disputes resolved or schedule the case for trial.

If there are pending motions filed by either spouse, such as a Motion for Temporary Orders, the court will likely rule on those motions at the conference.

In some cases, the court may have indicated in the notice that evidence may be presented at this conference.

It is not typical for evidence to be provided at this hearing, but a judge may decide he or she needs to hear evidence to resolve an issue he or she wants to resolve prior to the final divorce trial.

If evidence is presented on an issue, you need to ensure you have sufficient time to present your evidence.

If the judge has not provided enough time to present your evidence during the conference, you should file a request for an additional amount of time prior to the conference.

Be Prepared for Your Resolution Management Conference

Prepare for a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona

You should be prepared to discuss the issues in your case, your proposed solution to those issues, and the reasons supporting your position when you attend the hearing.

Some people and their divorce attorneys are not prepared when they attend a Resolution Management Conference; which is unfortunate because this is likely the first hearing where you may be able to influence the judge that your position on a contested issue is the more reasonable option in your divorce.

It is important to be prepared for your Resolution Management Conference because some judges may tell your spouse that he or she believes your issue is more reasonable and may be able to convince your soon to be ex that he or she should consider accepting your offer or face a possible award of attorney fees in your case.

Do not be unprepared for your Resolution Management Conference.

It is important you have an experienced divorce and family law attorney next to you at your Resolution Management Conference.

Rely on the experienced family law attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC to protect what is most important to you during your Resolution Management Conference.

If you need information about what happens at a resolution management conference in Arizona, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona family law attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in family law cases in Arizona.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona family law case around today.

Scottsdale Arizona Divorce, Family Law, and Estate Planning

Frequently Asked Questions About a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona:

What is a Resolution Management Conference Statement in Arizona?

A Resolution Management Conference Statement is a document that must be completed and filed before your attorney a Resolution Management Conference. You need to provide details of all of the issues in your family law case. You must include how you think those issues should be resolved in your case.

What Happens at an Early Resolution Conference in Arizona?

An early resolution conference is sometimes scheduled by a judge in a divorce or family law case. A judge may schedule an early resolution conference to enable the court to gain control of a difficult divorce or family law case early on in the case.

What Happens After a Case Management Conference in Arizona?

The parties and the court will decide what will happen after a case management conference in Arizona. Typically, both parties will be required to disclose the information and documentation needed to prepare for a trial. This can include exchanging disclosure statements, attending mediation, and preparing for trial.

What is a Final Resolution Conference in Arizona?

A final resolution conference in Arizona is the last resolution management conference before your case proceeds to a final trial. The final resolution conference allows the judge assigned to your case to help the parties reach agreements on contested issues.