3. Prepare for your settlement conference
Review your partner’s documents
Your partner must you with a copy of their documents at least 4 days before the date of your .
They have to give you their:
- Form 17C: Settlement Conference Brief
- updated financial information
- An Offer to Settle, that says how they would like to settle some or all of the issues.
- Form 13B: Net Family Property Statement, if there are property issues. In it, they calculate their and on the date you and on the date you separated.
- Form 13C: Comparative Net Family Property Statement, unless you have filed a joint one, 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 on the date you separated.
You should read these documents carefully. Make sure you understand what your partner is asking for. Think about ways you and your partner can resolve your issues.
At your settlement conference, you need to be prepared to talk about the issues and how you would like to resolve them. The judge will want to hear about any attempts that you and your partner have made at settling your issues.
Confirm your date
You and your partner must tell the court that you will be at your date and that you’re ready to go ahead.
You each do this by filling out a Form 17F: Confirmation of Conference. Write down the amount of time you think you’ll need, the specific issues that will be discussed, and the documents the judge should read.
You can fax the form or take it to the courthouse in person. Do this no later than 2:00 p.m. at least 3 days before your case conference date. If you miss this deadline, the conference may not be held and you will have to get a new date.
You must also give your partner a copy of the form before you give it to the court.
