Section 5.16 Filing of Necessary Pleadings

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

A. (§5.16) Filing of Necessary Pleadings

The attorney will file the petition or answer, the financial statements, and any other pleadings or required filings necessary for a court to assume jurisdiction and process a case. It is both inappropriate and unethical for an attorney acting as a mediator to file pleadings on behalf of either party. See §§5.27–5.34 below for further information on the attorney’s ethical obligations.

Typically, mediation puts all formal discovery and motions
on “hold.” This means...