Try to think about it this way: you're not taking sides. You're testifying in a court of law, which is a neutral place. You're not testifying against anyone, you're just telling the court the truth of what actually happened. You're not going to be lying or playing one side. You're going to be stating facts that have nothing to do with taking anybody's side.

you instruct your father & his lawyer that if he calls you to testify you will also tell your moms lawyer questions to ask specific questions that will "balance" the table.. then if they are smart you will be removed from the list.. just make sure your mom/moms lawyer doesn't find out

You could just plead the Fifth.

Think about what your dad is doing. Hes using you as a weapon to get more money from your mom. Think about that next fathers day. Do what needs to be done to express how you feel towards the separation.

This is sad...seriously sad. What kind of parent would put their kid in this position except a self serving ass? I feel badly for this op.

Witnesses aren't summoned, they're subpoenaed (for whoever suggested that it was a summons). Considering the state mark for the FML is Hawaii, here is some relevant text on Hawaiian courts, shortened for ease of reading: Rule 45. Subpoena. (a) For Attendance of Witnesses; .... and shall command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at a time and place therein specified .... and (f) Contempt. Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon [him] said person may be deemed a contempt of the court from which the subpoena issued. Contempt of the court does not always, but definitely can, result in jail time. It's more likely the OP would be fined, but it's a risk. In other words, if you don't want to testify, get a lawyer.

To be honest, i'm on vacation in Hawaii, and posted this from a Hawaii address because i just found out on vacation. I live in Iowa. Thank you all for your advice (for those of you who gave advice). Those of you who don't believe me or gave me trouble, I'm not going to dignify with a response. Additionally, in this case my mother is in the wrong. However, if I testify against her, she will never speak to me again. And if I don't testify, my father will never speak to me again. But anyways! Thank you.

Your dad sounds like a jerk.

So then go, take the oath, sit your butt down and plead 5th. Easy problem to fix.

Sorry to hear this man. It really sucks to find this crap out during your vacation. If your mother loves you she'll understand that your father is a jerk and you can't do anything about it. If your father cared he wouldn't have dragged you into this mess in the first place. Its wrong for parents to drag their children into their disputes no matter what they could get out of it. I'm also sorry that people are cruel enough to leave crap comments like they are. All I can say I hope things get better for you and don't listen to the shit other people are giving you here.