Fighting For My Reputation

Fighting For My Reputation

How To Get Through A Divorce Deposition Successfully: 10 Tips

Luke Warren

Not all divorcing couples will find themselves having to be deposed. When things have to be decided in court, though, a deposition is an important part of the pretrial process called discovery. Depositions require the parties' participation and it helps to know what to expect ahead of the meeting. Read on for some tips on getting through your divorce deposition.

Questions and Answers

A deposition is all about asking questions and getting answers. It's not exactly like being in open court, though. Depositions are usually held in small conference rooms with only the bare essential people present. That usually means:

  • You
  • Your soon-to-be-ex.
  • Lawyers for both sides.
  • A court reporter.

It's important to know what to do when you are asked a question. You may have a chance to prepare for the questions your attorney will ask you but you are also being questioned by your spouse's lawyer. Here are some tips for doing this right.

Tips on Answering Deposition Questions

  1. Let the attorney complete the question before speaking.
  2. Pause to gather your thoughts before you speak.
  3. Make sure you understand what is being asked. Some attorneys are not good at asking simple questions, so don't hesitate to ask for clarification before you answer the question.
  4. If you don't have the answer to a question, say so. That is a perfectly legitimate way to answer the question.
  5. You are being questioned under oath and being sworn to tell the truth under penalty of the law, so answer accordingly.
  6. Keep in mind that everything you say is being recorded and can be later used in divorce court.
  7. Never speculate or guess, even if the lawyer asks you to do so.
  8. If you are unsure of what to say, look to your attorney. They can stop the proceeding and consult with you if necessary.
  9. When you need a break, say so. The meeting can be paused while you get some fresh air, use the bathroom, or get some water.
  10. The best way to prevent surprise questions is to be upfront with your divorce lawyer some weeks prior to the deposition. To best prepare and to prepare you for the deposition, your lawyer needs to know everything about you. That means being honest about marital affairs, drug and alcohol use, criminal issues, allegations of child abuse, and more. Your attorney is sworn to confidentiality and they need to know about things before the other side does.

In most cases, this meeting will be over in a matter of hours. To find out more about your deposition, speak to your divorce attorney.


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Fighting For My Reputation

After I was accused of committing crime that I knew I wasn't guilty of, I realized that there were a few things I needed to take care of, and fast. For starters, I needed to focus on fighting for my reputation by working with a criminal attorney. I started looking around for a great lawyer who was qualified to take my case, and I was able to find a professional that I really felt comfortable with. They had a ton of experience and a commitment to keeping me happy, and within a few short months I was proven innocent. This blog is all about fighting for what you know is right.

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