Tips For Testifying In A Family Law Case
If you need to testify in court for your family law case, then it is important that you understand how to do so successfully. Since the courts rely on your testimony to help make their decisions in your case, being able to successfully testify may mean the difference between winning and losing in court. To this end, below are some tips to help you effectively testify in your family law case:
Tip: Ensure You Accurately Heard the Question that was Asked
As you are sitting on the witness stand, it is normal for you to feel nervous or apprehensive. Since it is hard to pay attention when you are feeling this way, it is vital that you ensure that you accurately heard the question that you were asked before giving your answer. One trick to making sure you heard the question is to silently repeat it back to yourself first and then formulate your answer. If you cannot remember the exact wording of the question, then you may not have heard it correctly and should ask for it to be repeated.
Tip: Only Answer the Question You Were Asked
When one of the attorneys asks you a question, you should be very careful to only answer exactly what was asked of you and no more. For example, if the attorney asks you where your children go to school, your answer should simply be the children's names and the name of the schools they attend. You should not embellish or give any additional information. The court has not asked you if your children excel at sports, are in the band, or if they have lots of friends. Adding this information is not necessary and can actually hurt your case if you unknowingly say the wrong thing.
Tip: Always Tell the Truth to the Court
Finally, even if the truth is not flattering or helpful for your case, it is imperative that you always tell the truth while you are testifying in the family courts. If your soon-to-be-ex has discovered that you went on a wild partying weekend with your friends and their attorney is asking you questions about it, then you must be honest. While you should never make embellishments, you should also never downplay anything that actually happened. For example, if you went to the bar and had five drinks and the attorney asks you how many drinks you had that night, then your answer should simply be five. There is no need to give more information unless you are asked, and trying to cover for yourself and say you had less alcohol could just make you look like a liar and hurt your case.
For more information, contact a family lawyer, like one from Sherri H. Stoney Law Firm.
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