Before the first hearing is scheduled, an exchange of statements between the parties may take place through the court. The parties may be required to submit their statements by the court or may submit them without being invited to do so by the court. The aim of the preparation is to enable the case to be dealt with preferably at a single hearing.

Preparation for the hearing consists, in particular, of the President of the Chamber or the single judge examining whether all the conditions for the proceedings have been met and whether, where appropriate, the defects in the application which the court has asked the applicant to remedy have been remedied. If the defect is not remedied or the court rejects the application on other grounds, the proceedings shall be terminated and no further proceedings shall be taken. Even in such a case, however, it is possible to appeal to a higher court.

Otherwise, the court continues to prepare for the hearing and to collect materials so that it can decide at the first and preferably only hearing. Each further hearing, i.e. each adjournment, costs both parties time and money. As a rule, the presiding judge or single judge will invite the defendant and, where appropriate, the other parties to the hearing to make written submissions and, where appropriate, to submit documentary evidence (but this is not yet a 'qualified invitation'). The parties may also be advised of the possibility of mediation or social counseling.

The court may, for example, also request certain reports on decisive facts (e.g. from a child welfare authority, etc.), appoint experts, arrange for the taking of evidence, etc.

The court may also, instead of ordering a hearing, order the parties to meet with a court-appointed mediator.