What Happens During a Divorce Trial?
Learning that you have to go to trial for a divorce can be scary for anyone who is concerned about their finances. You may have heard stories of one person being sued or given an unfair deal during a divorce trial. The court has final say on child support, child custody, and how your income and property are divided. Try talking with an Oklahoma City divorce attorney if you are worried about the outcome of your case.
When Does a Divorce Go to Trial?
Not all divorces go to trial. When both partners agree on how they want to divide up their finances and the terms for raising their children, there is no need to take the case to trial. However, if one partner disagrees with the other, the judge will usually schedule a trial to settle the differences legally. At this stage in the divorce process, many people question whether they need a lawyer.
Most people do hire a lawyer for divorce cases due to the high financial and emotional stakes. Your former partner is likely to hire their own lawyer, which will make winning harder if you do not have your own attorney to consult with.
What to Expect at Your Trial
The purpose of a divorce trial is to come to a final decision on every issue the couple disagrees on. First, you will go through the discovery process with your lawyer, if you choose to hire one. This may involve subpoenas for written or verbal testimony, retrieval of documents, interrogatories that ask questions, and depositions. Depositions are questions answered by a witness in front of you, your partner, any lawyers involved, and the court reporter.
A lawyer can help you prepare and organize all of the documents needed for trial. Bring these on the day of the trial as evidence for your side. Opening statements will be made first, which are a summary of your case, not arguments against the other side. Either your partner, partner’s lawyer, or plaintiff will call up a witness for questioning. After they ask the witness questions, you or your lawyer may ask questions. This technique is called cross-examination and is used to reveal inconsistencies.
Then, your partner or partner’s lawyer will argue for their side of the case. After this, the party who did not present witnesses first will be called to do so. Closing statements will be made by each side as a final argument for why their orders should be approved. The judge has final say and may or may not give you a final verdict in court. If you do not receive a verdict in court, the verdict will be sent to you later.
Family Lawyer in Oklahoma City
You do not have to fight for your rights during a divorce trial alone. An Oklahoma divorce lawyer can help you collect evidence, develop counterarguments to accusations against you, and prepare for trial. Contact the Putnam Law Office today at (405)-849-9149 for consultation. Mr. Putnam is an Oklahoma City, OK attorney who puts clients first.
