The parties or their counsel must appear before the Register on the return date. The petitioner or petitioner's counsel must present the original citation and an affidavit or verification of service of the petition and citation. The Register will hold an informal conference on the return date of the citation. Parties may be present on the return date to confer with their attorneys for the purpose of further defining the issues or discussing settlement. No testimony will be taken or evidence received.

If the matter is not settled by agreement on the return date, the Register will schedule an evidentiary hearing on a date or dates agreed upon by the parties, allowing the parties a reasonable time to prepare.