Oh No! My Spouse's Florida Divorce Lawyer Wants to Take My Deposition!

Your expert Tampa divorce lawyer tells you that your spouse's attorney wants to take your deposition.  What do you need to know before that happens?  A deposition is just a session where the other lawyer asks you questions well ahead of the scheduled trial in your case.  Here is a list of what to do and what not to do:

1. Tell the truth.
2. Review all of your notes ahead of time.
3. Meet with your lawyer ahead of time to go through what may be asked.
4. Even though at a deposition you are just in a room with your spouse, the two lawyers and a court reporter, act like the judge is there with you and treat everyone with respect.  Do this even though someone else is being rude.
5. Listen to the question.  That may sound simple, but many people think they know where the questioner is going and decide on an answer midway through the question.  Sometimes that's not the right answer.  If you don't understand a question, say so.
6. Just answer the question.  Don't expound.  Don't give an opinion that is not asked for.  If your Florida divorce lawyer wants you to expound on an answer, your lawyer will get a chance to ask you to do that after the other lawyer is finished with questions.
7. Remember that you know the answer to all the questions.  That is because one answer is, "I don't know."  If you don't know something, it is ok to say that.
8. Don't bring notes with you.  You are just going to be asked what you remember.
9. Don't joke.  Sometimes that makes you look like you are not taking the court system seriously.
10. Relax!  When your deposition is over, you are one step closer to getting on with your life.

© Copyright 2009 by Stann Givens