Are Depositions part of a court transcript?

[bridgemom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I want to preface this by stating that I (clearly) know very little about Family Law, but my understanding is that depositions are a preliminary part of the trial and the judge can find some of it admissible to trial and some not.

My concern is this; If I am deposed it will probably shed a good and bad light on both. That goes with it-I understand. However, one of the parties shares the court documents with one of their children. This is not hearsay...I was told from one of their kids. I have no idea if they have recently, as they would be sanctioned, but after all is said and done...

I honestly hope that I am deposed so neither wants me as a witness. But what I am worried about is what the kids will hear or read. I love those kids and will have to disclose things about their parents...people they love.

I hate this. This has become so heartbreaking.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I want to preface this by stating that I (clearly) know very little about Family Law, but my understanding is that depositions are a preliminary part of the trial and the judge can find some of it admissible to trial and some not.

My concern is this; If I am deposed it will probably shed a good and bad light on both. That goes with it-I understand. However, one of the parties shares the court documents with one of their children. This is not hearsay...I was told from one of their kids. I have no idea if they have recently, as they would be sanctioned, but after all is said and done...

I honestly hope that I am deposed so neither wants me as a witness. But what I am worried about is what the kids will hear or read. I love those kids and will have to disclose things about their parents...people they love.

I hate this. This has become so heartbreaking.

Depositions are NOT part of the trial. Also, they are NOT admissible if you are available to testify. In other words, depositions can NOT replace your actual testimony if you are alive.

 

[bridgemom]

Depositions are NOT part of the trial. Also, they are NOT admissible if you are available to testify. In other words, depositions can NOT replace your actual testimony if you are alive.

Thank you so much for your response. Just a little clarification, please...

If I testify, is all of my deposition admissible? Or can lawyers pick and choose which parts?

My deposition will (I think) not be an advantage to either. But the worst part is that here is one more person that the kids care about saying nasty things about one or the other parent. I have good things to say about both, too, but if I were a kid I would probably focus on the negative.

If I have to then I have no choice, but I do not want to be a part of this. If I thought the kids were in danger I'd have no problem testifying.

I'll shut up as I could go on and on, but really want to know what kind of information the kids will be privy to.


Thank you so much for your feedback.

 

[Ohiogal]

Thank you so much for your response. Just a little clarification, please...

If I testify, is all of my deposition admissible? Or can lawyers pick and choose which parts?

My deposition will (I think) not be an advantage to either. But the worst part is that here is one more person that the kids care about saying nasty things about one or the other parent. I have good things to say about both, too, but if I were a kid I would probably focus on the negative.

If I have to then I have no choice, but I do not want to be a part of this. If I thought the kids were in danger I'd have no problem testifying.

I'll shut up as I could go on and on, but really want to know what kind of information the kids will be privy to.


Thank you so much for your feedback.

Why would either parent be paying the money for an entire transcript and sharing it with the children? Do they seriously have THOUSANDS of dollars to waste? Also, bits and pieces of your deposition can be used if you testify in order to impeach your testimony.

 

[bridgemom]

Why would either parent be paying the money for an entire transcript and sharing it with the children? Do they seriously have THOUSANDS of dollars to waste? Also, bits and pieces of your deposition can be used if you testify in order to impeach your testimony.

In the interium I looked it up, and using it if I contradict my deposition makes sense. Almost posted, but I should have looked it up to begin with...sorry.

As for the former statement, I wish that I could say that wasn't true.