{"id":369015,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-help-and-resources\/involved-in-litigation-your-deposition-quiz.html"},"modified":"2024-03-26T12:39:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T17:39:47","slug":"involved-in-litigation-your-deposition-quiz","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-help-and-resources\/involved-in-litigation-your-deposition-quiz.html","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for an Upcoming Deposition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Preparing for an Upcoming Deposition<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

If you filed a civil case or someone sued you or your business, you may have to sit for a deposition. You also might be deposed as a witness in someone else’s case. A deposition is part of the discovery process<\/a> and allows parties to understand the case’s issues better.<\/p>\r\n

Your deposition testimony<\/a> is important. It may determine whether or not you recover any damages<\/a> or whether the case will go to trial. If you present well on your behalf, the other side may consider settling the case<\/a>. Preparing well for an upcoming deposition in your case is crucial.<\/p>\r\n

Although answering questions under oath for several hours may sound intimidating, being prepared relieves some of that stress. This article provides general information about what to expect in a deposition. In addition, it describes how a witness can prepare for a deposition and offers examples of deposition questions.<\/p>\r\n

The Deposition Process<\/h2>\r\n

Assuming the parties to a civil lawsuit<\/a> have attorneys, one party can’t communicate with the other party. A deposition<\/a>, however, allows one party to ask the other a series of questions about the legal matter.<\/p>\r\n

Depositions are an extremely useful tool in the discovery phase. The deponent<\/a> (the person answering questions) takes an oath to tell the truth before the deposition begins. Their deposition testimony informs the opposing side of what the deponent believes occurred in the case. A deponent is also called a witness.<\/p>\r\n

A deposition informs each side’s case evaluations. For example, depositions often help the parties to:<\/p>\r\n