How an Attorney Can Help You Prepare for Your Divorce Deposition

Written by Jonathan Breeden

June 29, 2018

During a divorce, it is possible that your ex’s lawyer will schedule a deposition. A divorce deposition takes place outside of the courtroom, usually at an attorney’s office or conference room of some sort. It can be nerve-wracking to attend a deposition, especially because opposing counsel may be using it to trick you or prove you don’t know much about the issues of your case. If you work with an experienced North Carolina divorce attorney, however, your divorce deposition can run smoothly.

If you have questions about divorce depositions, contact Breeden Law Office right away. Attorney Jonathan Breeden will go over the process and provide guidance on how to proceed. Contact us today at (919) 661-4970 to schedule a consultation.

Ways Your Attorney Can Prepare You For Your Deposition

Your attorney can help prepare you for your divorce deposition by:

Constructing a list of questions.
An attorney who is well-versed in divorce law can give you an accurate idea of the questions you will be asked. These are important to list out so you can make sure to review all the information for your answers. The last thing you want to do is give vague answers. If you do so, you may end up sound like you aren’t telling the truth.

Conducting practice depositions to prepare you.
Practicing for a divorce deposition will help you become comfortable memorizing the personal information you need for your potential questions. The more you know, the better your answers will be. These trial runs can also prepare you for the tactics that could be used to trick you, such as:

  • Keeping silent to get you to expand upon your answers
  • Asking confusing questions
  • Trying to get you to speculate

Explaining how you should respond.
This does not mean your attorney will coach you on what to say. Rather, they can explain how a question should be approached. You should be giving “yes or no” answers to deposition questions, which is easier said than done. For example, if opposing counsel asked, “do you have the time,” you might be inclined to answer “yes,” and proceed to give the time. However, the answer to the question, simply, is “yes.”

Helping you keep your cool.
Emotions run high in depositions, and it’s understandable that you could lose your temper with your ex or their attorney. You definitely want to refrain from yelling or arguing, but if tensions are running too high, your attorney can step in. They may object to the questions you are asked, or request a short break so you can calm down.

Interjecting when necessary.
A deposition may feel relaxed since it is not held in court, but it is still a formal, legal process. Whenever your attorney speaks, you should remain silent and wait for further instruction. If you let them do your job, they can make things easier for you.

Preparing for a Divorce Deposition? Call Us for Help

A divorce deposition can be a stressful event, but working with Breeden Law Office can help you feel prepared. Attorney Jonathan Breeden has spent nearly two decades practicing divorce and family law, and he has experience preparing people for their divorce depositions.

Contact Breeden Law Office at (919) 661-4970 today to schedule a case evaluation.

 
 

Divorce In North Carolina: What You Need To Know

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