Being Deposed: Tips for Testifying Under Oath

Nervous about an upcoming deposition?

Here are a few pointers to get you on track and prepared.

While being deposed most people fell the urge to argue their case- don't.  The more you talk, the more ammunition you give to the opposing counsel to use.

If the question being asked can be responded to with a simple "yes" or "no" answer it in a complete sentence describing what it is that you are saying yes or no to so that your short responses cannot be used agaisnt you.

Be honest.  As a witness if you discredit yourself even once you could lose all of your credibility.  If you don't remember something exactly let them know that you don't recall.  Don't fabricate an answer just to provide a response.

If you don't understand what is being asked of you- say something!  Don't respond with an answer to a question that was not asked, ask them to reword their question or to elaborate on specifics of what is being asked.

If you need to you the bathroom, take a break, or get a glass of water- say something! Just keep in mind that you have to finish the last question that was asked of you before you are allowed to take a break.

Don't blurt out the first thing that pops into your head.  Think for a few moments.  This time allows your attorney to think of grounds for objection and allows you to lay your response out in your head so that when you do speak you won't trip over your words or have to correct yourself.

If anyone looks confused about your answer to not take that to mean that you have to elaborate.  Only clarify your response when you're asked to.

Don't be 100% definitive.  If you're asked to produce each or every instance of an event make sure you end your statement with a qualifier like "As of right now that's the best I can recall the events."

Don't explain your train of thought or how you arrived to a response.  Again, it is not in your best interest to disclose more information than they ask for.

Since you are in fact being honest never classify your responses with "honestly, I..." or "truthfully, I..." It makes it seem as though you were not honest in previous answers.

Be honest.  As a witness if you discredit yourself even once you could lose all of your credibility.  If you don't remember something exactly let them know that you don't recall.  Don't fabricate an answer just to provide a response.

When can a property settlement or marital agreement be set aside as unconscionable?

When can a property settlement or marital agreement be set aside as unconscionable?

Virginia favors written agreements (contracts) especially among married parties. The person claiming the agreement is unconscionable has the burden of proof to prove it. An agreement is unconscionable if it is lopsided and significantly favors one party over the other. However, it is not enough that the agreement be disparate. It has to be so disparate that it “shocks the court.” There must also be some type of wrong doing by the other party like fraud, misrepresentation, or duress of some type. Otherwise, the court will not save one party from their bad bargain.

When is a pre or post marital agreement not enforceable in Virginia?

Virginia Code Section 20-151 provides that a premarital agreement is not enforceable if (1) it was not executed voluntarily or (2) it was unconscionable when executed and the person against whom enforcement is sought proves they were not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of property or financial obligations of the other party or that they did not voluntarily and expressly WAIVE, in writing, their right to those disclosures. It is thus important that the Agreement contain exhibits showing assets and liabilities of each party or that a specific written waiver of that disclosure be provided. A refusal to provide the financial information can raise suspicions so if the parties are actually all in agreement regarding the terms of an agreement, it is best to include a list of assets and liabilities along with statements of net worth so there is no question of disclosure.

Adultery as grounds for divorce in Virginia

Virginia still recognizes fault grounds for divorce, and adultery is the only one that does not require any waiting period. If you can prove your spouse committed adultery by “clear and convincing evidence,” you can get an immediate divorce. Virginia Code Annotated Sections 20-91(A)(1) is the law providing adultery as a ground for divorce and Section 20-94 provides that it must be within five years of filing suit without any cohabitation after finding out about the adultery.

While adultery eliminates the 6 or 12 month waiting period for a divorce based on separation, it may not make a difference regarding equitable distribution of property unless there is an “economic impact.” Examples of economic impact include things like your spouse spending marital money or income on his or her lover. While the law requires an economic impact, many judges take adultery into account as a negative contribution to the marriage. Also, it is specifically relevant to the consideration of spousal support. If the spouse who wants support commits adultery, they are barred from support unless the other spouse has also cheated or unless it creates a “manifest injustice.” A manifest injustice means it is unfair to deny spousal support. This could be because the cheating spouse has given up a career to stay at home for the sake of the family or because the cheating spouse was physically abused by the other spouse. The determination of manifest injustice is usually fact specific and decided on a case by case basis.

If one spouse committed adultery and both parties want a divorce and just don’t want to wait the 6 or 12 months required, an uncontested divorce can be obtained on the grounds of adultery if the paramour is willing to sign an affidavit admitting to the sexual relationship.

What kinds of custody are available in Virginia?

What kinds of custody are available in Virginia?

Custody is divided into two types: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody means the right to participate in major decisions affecting the child like educational, medical, and religious. Physical custody is the right to the child itself or what most people think of when they think of custody.

Primary physical custody is also called primary residence and primary care and is usually the parent the child resides mostly with. Virginia prefers that parents share joint legal custody with primary physical custody being in one parent or the other. However, if there are problems of abuse, drugs, or alcohol, joint legal custody will probably not work. Even if parents share joint legal and physical custody, it doesn’t mean they have equal 50-50 time with the child. Parents can share custody and design a schedule that works best for the child with or without it being 50-50.

A typical schedule provides time with the non-custodial parent every other weekend, usually Friday through Sunday, one night or evening during the week, shared or alternating holidays and the child’s birthday, and one or two weeks during the summer.

Shared custody can be week on, week off, alternating weekends with each parent having two days during the week, or 3 days on 4 days off then switch.

Child support is often paid even when there is 50-50 time with the child depending on the parents’ relative gross incomes. Gross income includes all income from every source for determination of child support.

If you can’t afford health insurance for your child, you should investigate Virginia’s FAMIS program. You can find information about FAMIS at:

http://www.famis.org/

Child support calculations are by the Virginia Guidelines. You can calculate your own using information found at:

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse_calc.cgi