Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

By Nathan A. Hacker

Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer

The biggest advantages to taking a deposition is that you can be sure what your wife is going to say at trial, and you can hope that it changes. 

Strategically it does not matter what story is told, but that a story is told.

In depositions, you are trying to find out what the testimony will be at trial so that you and your divorce attorney can formulate a strategy that will maximize your results, or minimize your exposure, whichever the case may be. 

Anything that your wife says in her deposition can be brought in to trial through the impeachment process.

Let’s take a look at an example of a deposition:

By Nathan A. Hacker

Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer

Though I currently practice family law exclusively for Cordell & Cordell, I was previously both a prosecutor and defense attorney so I have participated in countless depositions and have seen cases won over a few careless words by a witness who is not prepared.

Here’s the thing about depositions: most people don’t prepare for them like they should and are nervous about the process to boot. I have seen police officers who have been deposed hundreds of times crack in a deposition when they forget what they wrote in their report. 

So here are 5 divorce tips for men on how you should prepare for a deposition to ensure your testimony does not negatively impact your case.

By Jennifer Paine

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell

Are you terrified of your wife’s attorney?

If you are, whether or not you admit it, the feeling is normal particularly if a divorce trial is on the horizon.

Here are the things you should do to be prepared for that dreaded cross-examination, broken down into three phases: one month before trial, one week before trial, and one day before trial.

Question:

All settlement attempts have failed with my ex-wife, including one that we both agreed to but she backed out at the last minute. 

I believe it is because I refused to provide the answers to certain questions of the interrogatories because I do not want to them to become part of the divorce file and thus, a public record. I will answer them for her, but I don't feel these answers should be a matter of public record.

Is there any way to force her to come to an agreement with me before we have to go through a costly, drawn-out legal battle?

By Jennifer Paine

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell

What you do at your deposition can help or hurt you significantly depending on your attitude, truthfulness and appearance.

Remember from my previous article on depositions and lies, a deposition is the testimony of a witness under oath outside of court and reduced to writing. It is also used to question the opposing party.

Consider the following tips as you prepare for your deposition: