Virginia Divorce ~ Questions Asked By The Court
Your witness can be key in your divorce. You and your witness have lots of ground to cover before you go to court. You and your witness should be very professional in front of the master and judge. You should not be laughing or chatting excessively. The master wants to complete your case just as quickly as you do, as there are plenty of other cases for them to hear.
There is certain information you must disclose to the court which includes :
~ Your name and address
~ Your spouse's name and address ( if known )
~ Date and place you were married
~ The date you were separated from your spouse
~ Names and ages of children born to you and your spouse
~ Who has custody of each child ( if they are minor children )
~ Number of years you have been a resident of Virginia
~ Reason for coming to court ( limited divorce, absolute divorce )
The following questions will be asked to the plaintiff in your divorce hearing. It is in your best interest to have a statement providing the following information to give to the master or judge as a referral. Here is a list of questions you may be asked in court :
~ Please state your name and address
~ How many years have you been a resident of Virginia ?
~ Have you maintained continuous residency ?
~ Were you ever married ?
~ To whom ?
~ What is the date and location of your marriage ?
~ Can you identify this marriage certificate as your own ( your own certificate of marriage will be held up for you to identify )
~ Were there any children born of this marriage ?
~ What are the names and ages of the children ?
~ Who has custody of the children ?
~ Where were you living during your separation ?
~ Who deserted the marriage ?
~ What was the reason for separation ?
~ Has the separation been voluntary, continuous and uninterrupted for over a year ?
~ During the separation did you and your spouse have any sexual contact ?
~ Is there any marital property to be settle by the court ?
~ Is there any chance for reconciliation of this marriage ?
~ Are you or your spouse able to care for your children ?
~ Have provisions been made for the support of your children ?
You must have your witness verify your statements to prove your grounds for divorce. Your witness cannot submit rumors or speculations, only what they have actually seen and or heard themselves.
The witness will be asked this series of questions by the master of the court, or yourself if you choose :
~ Please state your name and address
~ How long have you known the plaintiff ?
~ Where does the plaintiff live ?
~ How many years has the plaintiff resided in Virginia ?
~ Did it become clear to you when the parties separated ?
~ When and how did you learn of the separation ?
~ Have you visited the plaintiff at the previously stated address ?
~ Have you seen the defendant there or any evidence of the defendant residing there as well ?
~ Do you feel that there is a chance of reconciling this marriage ?
Hopefully this list of questions will help you prepare for court. It would be a good idea for you to have these questions with the answers already filled out as a reference for the master or judge in your case.