If you and your partner haven't sorted out the issues after one or more case conferences, the judge may schedule a settlement conference.
The goal of a settlement conference is to help you and your partner settle the issues you still don't agree on. Every conference is a chance for you to come closer to agreeing on your issues with your partner.
Rule 17: Conferences tells you what you need to do to prepare for your settlement conference and what happens at one.
Fill out your forms
Before your settlement conference, you have to fill out Form 17C: Settlement Conference Brief. This form is very similar to a case conference brief, except you also include:
- An Offer to Settle that says how you would like to settle some or all of the issues.
- Form 13B: Net Family Property Statement, if there are property issues. In it, you calculate your assets and debts on the date you married and on the date you separated.
- A joint Form 13C: Comparative Net Family Property Statement, or your own Form 13C, if there are property issues. This form compares the value of your and your partner's assets and debts on the date you married and the date you separated.
You have to give the court updated financial statements. See Update your financial statements below to find out what you have to do.
Make copies of your completed documents for you and your partner.
Serve and file your forms
You must serve your partner with a copy of your documents at least 6 days before the date of your settlement conference. You serve them by regular service or special service. Serve your documents below explains how to do this.
See Count time below to understand how to calculate days or time correctly. This is important because court staff may not accept your documents if you haven't followed the rules.
You need to go back to the court once your partner has been served, to file your documents and Form 6B: Affidavit of Service. You must do this 4 days before the conference date.
You add Form 6B: Affidavit of Service to your continuing record. Update your continuing record below explains how to add documents to your court file.
You add your settlement conference brief to your court file, not to the continuing record. It goes in your court file so the judge can read it before your conference. It's given back to you after your settlement conference is over. This is because discussions at a settlement conference are private and can't be shared with another judge.
Confirm your court date
You have to tell the court that you will be at your settlement conference. Confirm your court date below explains how to do this.
If you need an interpreter or any special arrangement because of a disability, see Ask for a special arrangement below.
Next step:
Go to your settlement conferencePrevious step:
Go to your case conference