How do I prepare for a pretrial conference? I am attempting to get sole custody of my 6 year old son. Currently his father and I have joint custody, however, my son has not seen his father in over 3 months. He has had some legal issues recently and currently has an order of protection against his girlfriend (who lives with him at his parent's house). At our last court appearance, the judge awarded me a temporary order that states his girlfriend is not allowed to have any contact with my son. My ex says he is attempting to have his order of protection modified after she completes her anger mgmt courses and probation. ( She was convicted of assault and harassment of him, but they have had multiple domestic disputes for which they have called the police on each other.) My ex had already agreed to give me sole custody and signed a document that my son's law guardian prepared but the judge requested to see us do to the multiple legal issues that showed on my ex's registry. My son's father does call him once or twice a week but has not made any attempt to spend any time with him because that would mean his girlfriend would have to leave the house. Our judge has sent our case to trial but I don't really understand what we are "trying" and I can not afford an attorney.

... My ex had already agreed to give me sole custody and signed a document that my son's law guardian prepared but the judge requested to see us do to the multiple legal issues that showed on my ex's registry.

... I don't really understand what we are "trying" ...

Perhaps the judge isn't sure of what you are trying either, and wants to make sure everything is covered.

Be thankful that the judge didn't just take the trial off the calendar, and instead set a PTC to make sure that all possible issues are addressed, and that there is indeed no need for a trial.