Hiring an Experienced Rhode Island Family Court Divorce Lawyer Matters
In October 2025, I witnessed a nominal divorce hearing an experienced Family Court divorce lawyer could have prevented. Sadly, it was a train wreck and involved a licensed Rhode Island attorney. What unfolded in that courtroom is exactly why hiring a lawyer who truly knows what they’re doing in the Rhode Island Family Court is so critical—and why representing yourself can be a recipe for disaster.
The attorney, who was known to the judge by name, confidently told the court he had a “quick and easy” nominal hearing. What followed was anything but.
The attorney began by offering the Plaintiff’s Entry of Appearance and DR-6 Financial Form but when he called the Plaintiff to the stand he failed to ask the most basic questions required in every Rhode Island divorce hearing—questions about residency, date of marriage, and date of separation. He jumped straight into “irreconcilable differences” before confirming the essential foundation of jurisdiction.
Things only went downhill from there. The attorney offered a “settlement agreement” as an exhibit, which was not signed before a notary by either party. The judge had to stop the proceeding, enlist another attorney in the courtroom to witness and notarize it, and then continue.
As questioning resumed, inconsistencies between the Plaintiff’s testimony and the written agreement came to the judge’s attention. The judge, demonstrating remarkable patience, instructed the attorney to quickly make handwritten corrections to the settlement agreement and have the parties initial the changes—right there in court.
But it didn’t end there. The attorney then revealed there were children involved, yet no Child Support Guideline Worksheet had been prepared or filed—something that is mandatory in every Rhode Island divorce involving minor children. In frustration the judge completed the worksheet.
To make matters worse, the judge noticed the Plaintiff’s financial statement wasn’t signed or notarized either. The judge again stopped the proceeding, requested the attorney to fix this mistake, and asked for the assistance of another practitioner in the courtroom to have it witnessed and notarized.
After nearly 50 minutes of confusion, missed questions, and incomplete testimony, the judge finally took over the questioning to ensure the record contained the minimum necessary facts to approve the divorce. What should have taken 15 minutes took nearly an hour—all because of poor preparation, lack of procedural understanding, and failure to follow basic court requirements.
The Takeaway: Family Court Divorce Lawyers – Experience Matters
If this can happen to a licensed Rhode Island attorney, imagine what could happen if you try to represent yourself without any guidance. You could easily:
- Fail to ask the right questions.
- Forget required signatures or notarizations.
- Leave out foundational testimony that establishes jurisdiction or the basis for dissolution of the marriage.
- Submit inconsistent agreements or financial forms.
- Neglect to file mandatory documents like Child Support Guidelines.
And in Rhode Island Family Court, those kinds of mistakes can derail your case completely—or worse, cause your divorce to be denied altogether. In fact, most judges will not help you through your divorce because that is not their job. Their job is to listen as you present everything properly and protect your own rights.
Rhode Island Family Court Divorce Lawyers – Bottom Line
Family Court judges expect proper procedure, valid documentation, and precise testimony. A seasoned Rhode Island Family Court divorce lawyer understands what the court requires and ensures your hearing goes smoothly, efficiently, and without costly delays.
So before you decide to go it alone or hire someone who “dabbles” in family law, remember: even one mistake can stop your divorce in its tracks. When your future is on the line, experience isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
This article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. To obtain legal advice about your legal rights, options and alternatives in your particular set of circumstances, contact us at (401) 632-6976 to set up an affordable legal advice session.
