The process is nearly identical regardless of what you need to accomplish. The process starts with filing a Petition with the court and serving the other side with the paperwork. The parties then exchange certain information. Depending on the nature of the case, a temporary hearing may take place which establishes the status quo until the parties go to trial. For example, in a custody case, the court may enter orders on legal custody, physical care, child support, etc. In a divorce, the court may determine who gets to live in the marital home prior to trial, who has to pay the bills, who gets possession of the marital vehicles, etc. These orders would control the conduct of the parties for the next several months until trial. The parties then typically engage in discovery, which is a more formal exchange of information as the parties prepare for trial. At any time during this process, the lawyers may discuss resolution. If resolution is not reached, the court may order mediation, which is discussed below.