When a celebrity marriage ends, it often makes headlines. Continuing updates on the divorce can provide New Jersey readers who are either going through a divorce or contemplating one with invaluable insight into the process. Currently, the divorce of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is providing a glimpse into what to expect when one party will be deposed by the other.
Heard is scheduled to sit for a deposition by Depp’s legal team regarding the allegations of spousal abuse she has made against the actor. In its simplest form, a deposition is a formal question and answer session given under oath. The contents of that deposition may be used in court to either bolster an individual’s testimony or contradict it.
Heard’s attorneys will more than likely spend a significant amount of time preparing her for the deposition. Considering what could be at stake, preparation is essential to ensure that there are no surprises. A mock deposition may even be conducted to ensure that Heard is comfortable with the potential questions that will be posed to her. Recalling events is not an exact science, and consistency is key during litigation. Any supposed contradictions in how the events are stated could be used by the other side to raise the credibility of the person being deposed — even if it does not alter the facts.
If a New Jersey couple is going through a particularly contentious divorce or child custody battle, sitting for a deposition is a possibility. The questions that are asked could be disconcerting, uncomfortable and intensely personal. In some cases, they are intentionally designed in order to shake the person being deposed. This is just one of the reasons why preparation is essential, and no one should attend without his or her counsel.
Source: People, “What Will Amber Heard Face in Johnny Depp Deposition?“, Michael Miller, July 29, 2016