- videocam Live Webinar with Live Q&A
- calendar_month April 29, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
- signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
- card_travel Family Law
- schedule 90 minutes
Deposition Strategies in Divorce and Custody Cases: Deposing Parties, Lay Witnesses, and Experts
Leveraging Deposition Testimony During Discovery, Settlement, and Trial
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About the Course
Introduction
This CLE course will prepare family law practitioners to take and defend depositions of parties, lay witnesses, and expert witnesses in divorce and custody cases. The panel will explain tactics for preparing witnesses, outline techniques for effective questioning, and offer strategies for leveraging deposition testimony during discovery, settlement, and trial.
Description
Effective deposition skills are critical to a successful family law practice. Information gained during depositions impacts trial strategy and settlement discussions. Obtaining or protecting critical information during depositions is key to a positive—or negative—case outcome.
Properly preparing deponents, taking control of the dynamics of a deposition, effectively questioning lay and expert witnesses, and strategically raising objections all have a significant impact on the amount and usefulness of information obtained during depositions.
Listen as our authoritative panel of family law attorneys discusses effective witness preparation techniques, advanced questioning methods, and strategies for using deposition testimony during discovery, settlement discussions, and trial.
Presented By
Mr. Beane is Board-Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been practicing law since 2006. With a background in accounting and finance, he leads clients through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives while protecting and preserving their assets for the future. Mr. Beane has successfully litigated complex cases involving property division, business valuations, reimbursement claims, multijurisdictional issues, separate property trusts, high conflict custody disputes, and enforcements. Although known as a litigator, especially since he has won awards for oral advocacy such as the prestigious Order of the Barristers, he always strives to achieve out-of-court success for his clients first.
Ms. Boland is family law attorney with over a decade of experience who brings a strategic, tailored, and pragmatic approach to every case she handles. She represents clients in all aspects of family law, including complex financial matters, parenting disputes, maintenance issues, and post-decree proceedings. A significant portion of Ms. Boland's work involves high-net-worth and complex marital estates. She is exceptionally skilled with financial analysis, business valuations, and asset tracing, and is frequently called upon to address matters involving trusts, closely held businesses, and sophisticated compensation structures. Ms. Boland's sharp command of numbers and her innovative, forward-thinking strategies make her a trusted advocate for clients navigating complicated financial landscapes.
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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Live Online
On Demand
Date + Time
- event
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- schedule
1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
I. Planning for depositions
A. Determining who to depose
B. Goals of deposition
C. Seating arrangements, participant personalities, and other "dynamics" considerations
D. Witness preparation
E. Document requests
II. Taking and defending depositions
A. Questioning witnesses
B. Raising and responding to objections
C. Using exhibits
D. Using information obtained from social media
III. Post-deposition strategies
A. Using deposition information during discovery
B. Using deposition information during settlement discussions and trial
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are the most common challenges family law practitioners face when taking and defending depositions of parties, lay witnesses, and experts?
- What deposition questioning techniques will maximize the information obtained from witnesses?
- What strategies are effective when raising and responding to objections during depositions?
- How can deposition testimony be most effectively used during discovery, settlement, and trial?
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Unlimited access to Professional Skills and Practice-Ready courses:
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