Expert Testimony
What is an Expert Witness?
An Expert Witness is a witness whose knowledge, skill, experience, training,
or education allows them to provide a scientific, technical, or other
specialized opinion about the evidence in a case.
When is Expert Testimony used in court?
In a Georgia
divorce, either party may call an Expert Witness to testify on that party's
behalf. Before a party may call an Expert Witness to testify, the party wishing
to call the expert as a witness must lay a foundation by proving the expert's
credentials. This means that a party must demonstrate how the testimony of the
expert will help the judge or jury to understand a certain topic or concept which
the average person would not fully understand without expert explanation.
There are
several topics on which a party may need the assistance of an expert: child custody, business evaluation, or
forensic accounting. A party may seek to engage the services of an expert in
any one of these fields, not only for the purposes of testimony at trial, but
also to aid that party and his or her attorney in understanding complex issues
surrounding the particular case.
However,
just as attorneys charge fees for these services, Expert Witnesses charge for
their services as well. Normally, experts charge a certain rate for any
services they render prior to trial. For a more detailed discussion on the
differing types of Expert Witnesses which may
be utilized in the divorce process and the costs normally associated with these
experts, contact the Atlanta Divorce Team.