| Contested divorce is often beset with difficulties and | | | | them and call the spouses personally for inquiry under |
| lengthy formalities at every step. Ideally, the two | | | | oath. This process is known as a Deposition. Any |
| parties should aim for an uncontested divorce | | | | other witnesses to corroborate the statements of the |
| settlement. There are several good San Francisco | | | | spouses may also be called upon at the deposition. |
| divorce law firms that can assist you in achieving an | | | | Under most state laws, the deposition is conducted in |
| out of court divorce settlement between you and your | | | | the presence of a court reporter who provides the |
| spouse. | | | | exact transcription of the deposition to the court. |
| But in case where a contested divorce becomes | | | | The aim of the lawyers at both sides in a contested |
| inevitable, both sides will have to undergo the long and | | | | divorce is to look for loopholes in the other party's |
| difficult process of discovery. Each spouse will have to | | | | claims, and negotiate a better settlement in their client's |
| send a long list of queries to the other spouse that is | | | | favor. In addition to the discovery process, the trial |
| known as an interrogatory. The interrogatory is most | | | | preparation is a critically important exercise to make |
| drafted by your attorney and the other spouse is | | | | sure that you and your attorney are well equipped to |
| supposed to answer it in full under oath. Among San | | | | argue your case before the court. |
| Francisco divorce lawyers, there are many who are | | | | The facts and circumstances of the case must be |
| competent enough to assist you in thorough trial | | | | absolutely clear between you and your lawyer. The |
| preparation and take you through the discovery | | | | organization of all the information, its systematic |
| procedure. | | | | presentation and backed up properly by evidence and |
| An interrogatory basically consists of queries related to | | | | documents is a must to argue your case with authority |
| your financial position, properties and debts, pension or | | | | before a court of law. |
| any other sources of income, and any other relevant | | | | Even if an out of court settlement may be possible in |
| financial matters. Additionally, the lawyers from each | | | | your case, still the trial preparation has to be up to date |
| side may ask for the documentary evidence to | | | | in order to ensure that you are in a strong negotiating |
| support their declarations, such as a bank statement, | | | | position even during an amicable mutual settlement of |
| credit card bill, cash receipt, income tax return, salary | | | | all issues. An unprepared lawyer and an unprepared |
| receipt, and documentary proof of any assets and | | | | client are bound to be at a disadvantage during the |
| liabilities. | | | | divorce proceedings if the other side has done their |
| After receiving the replies to the interrogatory as well | | | | homework thoroughly. |
| as documentation, the attorney at each side will study | | | | |