Tips to Help You Get Through Your Divorce Deposition

Unless you settle your divorce case extremely quickly, there’s a decent chance you will have to go to a deposition, to be scheduled by your spouse’s attorney. During a deposition the attorney will ask you a series of questions, which will have been agreed to by you and your attorney.

A court reporter will place you under oath, and you can have your attorney by your side throughout the whole deposition. The court reporter will transcribe everything you say, with that transcript to be filed in your divorce case.

Below are some tips to help you get through the deposition successfully:

• Stay calm: It can be understandably nerve-racking to be asked questions about your marriage under oath. However, the experience will not be traumatizing, and you will have your attorney present to protect you from any kind of potential abuse.
• Listen closely: Many people have difficulty concentrating at a deposition because of their nerves. Listen closely to the full question before you start your answer. You are not required to answer the question fully. Take as much time as you need to provide your answer.
• Ask questions: If you don’t understand a question, be sure to ask for clarification before you begin answering. This won’t make you look unintelligent — it will actually make you look diligent and careful. You cannot truthfully answer a question you do not understand.
• Always tell the truth: Remember — you are answering questions under oath. This means the most basic rule you need to follow is that you must tell the truth in your answers. Attorneys who are experienced in overseeing depositions can usually tell when someone is providing a false story. Plus, telling lies at your deposition will only lead to more trouble down the road. It’s better to be entirely truthful in your answers.

For more deposition-related tips and guidance, meet with a knowledgeable divorce attorney at Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.