What is a client’s option if they are asked to answer questions in a deposition that they find improper?

A client faced with improper questions during a deposition has the right to refuse to answer those questions and seek legal protection. This is particularly important because depositions are meant to gather information relevant to a case, but they must adhere to legal standards regarding the scope and propriety of questions. If a question is deemed irrelevant, harassing, privileged, or otherwise improper, the client should not feel obligated to provide an answer that could harm their interests or violate legal protections. By instructing the client to refuse to answer and seeking legal protection, the attorney ensures that the client's rights are upheld, allowing for an appropriate assessment and potential resolution of any dispute regarding the question's propriety before continuing with the deposition.

The other options, while they may seem feasible in some contexts, do not adequately protect the client’s legal rights in situations involving potentially improper questioning. Answering questions as best they can could lead to unintended disclosures, taking a break does not resolve the underlying issue, and providing partial answers may also inadvertently expose the client to risks if the full context is not clear. Thus, seeking legal protection by refusing to answer is the most prudent approach.