You will be sworn in before taking a seat. You will have to state your name, or in my case, Jane Doe. The district attorney will question you first, which helps ease you into it. I will list out some questions that I was asked. I feel if you are a little prepared, it is easier, and it can make you think of different answers before taking the stand. I could have done better on a few of my questions, if I had been a little prepared. Remember, they will ask you about when the child first came into care and in most cases, this has happened months ago. It is a little hard when they are asking about things that happened ten months ago and on top of that, you had a few more children come through your home during that time. I took my time answering and answered the questions the best I could remember. You will remember things once you get off the stand, that you will wish you had said. The child’s attorney will ask you a ton questions and they will go back to the time the child was placed with you (this was one of my problems).

The bio parent’s attorney probably would rather you not testify. I believe the reason is that you speak for that child and as the parent of the child. They were not nice in my situation. Remember every case and every person will have totally different experiences. One attorney objected by saying “You could get a homeless person off the street to answer the questions that Jane Doe is being asked.” “She is qualified to answer these questions.” “Jane Doe is bias.” Probably every another question I was asked they opposed. Which this in it’s self can be overwhelming and nerve racking.

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“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton