READ MORE ARTICLES ABOUT FAMILY LAW IN PENNSYLVANIA.

I once had a client who was suing his ex to modify his child support obligation, but who was too busy to get me current pay stubs. Your pulse quickens, the blood pounds in your veins, your eyes start to dart, and you adversary leads you like a lamb to the slaughter. Additionally, paternity, adoption, and emancipation are a few other issues that are settled in family law courts. You listen attentively and courteously. Play it straight, speak clearly and audibly, and be sure to pace yourself. Treat “Objection!” like a pause button and stop talking. What can I expect come February, its already October 2016?? in the legal field include divorce, child custody, and child support. | Rocklin One of the hardest-won skills of any lawyer handling divorce and other family law matters is to know when to shut up and leave the rest to the judge. The takeaway. It also may be that your husband never even filed; if he did, he will be able to show you the documents he filed, and he will be able to provide you with a docket number for your case that you can use to get copies of the paperwork yourself from the Office of the Prothonotary to review, and to take to a lawyer. This is no bad thing, because it means that your judge is interested and engaged, and is taking what you say seriously. The Art of Testifying in Court.

Check out David Letterman doing it right. What do I have to worry about at my hearing? But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Since you can’t change the facts, and since trying to dance around a damaging truth will just make it worse, bite the bullet and play it straight.

Generally, the following people may act as witness in family court: Another circumstance in which a witness may be needed is during custody hearings. Meanwhile, your lawyer is giving a close ear to what the witness is saying, and is probably taking notes to prepare for cross-examination. My efforts to calm and quiet her made no impact until the judge turned our way and shouted, “Can the cheap theatrics!” This is not the kind of attention you want from your judge. Your lawyer is there to take care of the rest, and by the time you reach the courtroom he will have given you a good idea about what to expect. Copyright © 2012 - 2019.

He starts out not knowing you and your ex from Adam and Eve, and his priorities may be very different from yours.

Do I Need an Attorney for Help with Family Court Witness Issues? Your family law attorney has filed papers and negotiated for you while you got on with the business of living day to day, but now it’s time to squeeze more time off from work because the court is ready to hear directly from YOU about what is actually going on. Always temper it with respect for the process. This may be too much to ask, but try anyway. Check out former President Clinton doing it wrong. Post Your Case - Get Answers from Multiple Thus, consulting with a well qualified and knowledgeable family law attorney is beneficial making sure you understand the guidelines in your area. & Seven things to avoid when going to court. Courtrooms are big and you need to “project” yourself in the room, sitting up in your chair and projecting your voice. If it is overruled, go ahead and answer as if nothing had happened.

in 2017 from the University of Houston Law Center and his B.A.

The woodshed is a mythical place where good lawyers prepare their clients to testify in family court.

Now is the time to follow through, like the arrow in flight: the aiming has already been done, the target already has been selected, and all the arrow has to do is to go straight forward.

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Occasionally a family law case will require a witness, such as in cases involving domestic abuse. If you miss your trip to the woodshed prior to going to divorce court, let me share with you a … If you can keep your breathing and heart rate steady, you have a much better chance of avoiding “flight or fight” and being able to focus on your testimony. This isn’t his first rodeo; he’s ready for you to try to strike back, and in no event will bravado impress the judge. In general, a judge will use the following as a guide to determine if the provided evidence should be admitted or excluded: The judge may exclude any evidence that would serve only to confuse the jury.

Count on this, and give the judge what he wants to see: respectful attentiveness and a clear understanding of what you learned back in elementary school: don’t speak when it is not your turn. You aren’t running for political office today, so don’t try to evade questions. Formalized structure. Get enough sleep the night before. I can show it to you anytime you like.” Any time except right now, that is. Take heart and stay focused. He had received an annual bonus of almost $40,000 that I knew nothing about. The truth tells itself. If the objection is sustained you don’t have to answer the question.

The guidelines for witnesses in family court cases vary by state or jurisdiction.

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This means that you don’t need a halo, just an honest and forthright approach to the questions you are asked. Whether you are going to court to deal with child support, child custody, divorce or another family law dispute, the court is finally ready to hear what you have to say. He assured me, though, that as a salaried employee his income had changed not at all after the most recent documentation I had. Law, About Be calm and focused. You don’t have to be made of wood or stone, but overall it is a good idea to keep yourself reasonably still both on and off of the witness stand, and to make eye contact with whomever you are speaking to. A family court witness is required to adhere to courtroom rules so as to not negatively affect a case. This is the chance for your opposing counsel to diminish your testimony and to get you to make concessions to his theory of the case. Your hearing will be structured in a way that is designed to give the judge all the information he needs to be able to understand the situation (while avoiding the distraction of unnecessary information), to know exactly where each of you is coming from, and to be able to make a fair and informed decision. Prepare: When it comes to friends and acquaintances, prepare for the reality that many people will …

A hearing or a trial is a formal process intended to give you and your ex a full opportunity to present your sides of the case to a family court judge (or hearing officer, special master, etc.) Occasionally a family law case will require a witness, such as in cases involving domestic abuse. Did

Direct examination questions are non-leading and begin with words such as, “who, what, where, why, when, and how.”  Your lawyer is asking you questions to walk you through your story to the court.

Just consider the question you have been asked, and answer it truthfully. Your Experienced Pittsburgh Family Court Lawyer CALL 412-371-4500 FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION READ MORE ARTICLES ABOUT FAMILY LAW IN PENNSYLVANIA. Make double-sure that the information you give lawyer is complete and accurate! Take a deep breath and tell the truth.

If your lawyer considers it necessary, he can make sure that you get a chance to explain yourself more fully, later on. Silently. The witness should be polite and practice good courtroom etiquette.

This is a test you cannot fail. ( Log Out /  When you are called to testify, your lawyer will have questions for you to answer; this is called “direct examination.” In some court systems such as in Allegheny County, part direct examination might also be presented by your lawyer in the form of a summary. | Citrus Heights

Answer truthfully. If your ex’s lawyer thinks he can rattle you into losing your temper or overwhelm you into shutting down, count on it happening.

We're not around right now. LegalMatch, Market Stay polite. Additionally, witnesses should avoid divulging more information than is being asked of them; The witness should go over vital facts of the case in detail while avoiding memorized or rehearsed responses.