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Washington Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding for either...

Washington Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding for either Plaintiff or Defendant

Q: What happens if you don&#039;t answer interrogatories?

Motions to Compel If a party doesn&#039;t respond to interrogatories or requests for production, then the party seeking those answers must file a motion to compel with the court. If the court grants the motion to compel, then the party who objected or failed to answer must then do so.

Category:

Family Law - Divorce - Discovery - Interrogatories

State:

Washington

Control #:

WA-021B-D

Format:

Instant download

Definition and meaning

The Washington Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding is a legal document used in divorce cases to gather information from either the plaintiff or defendant. This formal set of questions is designed to elicit pertinent facts about the parties involved, their financial situations, and any other relevant information that may impact the divorce proceedings.

How to complete a form

Completing the Washington Discovery Interrogatories involves several steps:

Read each question carefully: Ensure you understand what is being asked before providing your answer.
Provide accurate information: Respond truthfully and completely to every interrogatory to avoid potential legal repercussions.
Consult an attorney if necessary: If you're unsure about how to answer a specific question, it’s advisable to seek legal guidance.
Sign and date the form: At the end of the document, you must include your signature and the date to validate your responses.

Who should use this form

The Washington Discovery Interrogatories are suitable for individuals involved in divorce proceedings, either as the plaintiff or defendant. This document assists both parties in disclosing essential information that may affect the outcomes of the divorce, including asset division, custody arrangements, and support obligations.

Key components of the form

This legal form includes a series of interrogatories that typically cover:

Personal information: Name, address, date of birth, and social security number.
Employment history: Details of jobs held over the past few years, including income information.
Income sources: Any other sources of income outside of employment.
Assets and properties: Information regarding real estate, financial accounts, and any other significant assets owned.
Debts and liabilities: Details of any outstanding financial obligations.

Common mistakes to avoid when using this form

To ensure a smooth process, avoid these common errors:

Incomplete answers: Failing to answer all interrogatories can lead to delays or complications in your case.
Misunderstanding legal terms: If you encounter terms you don't understand, take time to clarify them before proceeding.
Missing deadlines: Ensure that the completed form is submitted within the required timeframe set by the court.
Neglecting to sign: A missing signature can invalidate the submissions.

What documents you may need alongside this one

In addition to the Washington Discovery Interrogatories, you may need to gather and provide several supporting documents, including:

Proof of income: Pay stubs, tax returns, or W-2 forms.
Property titles: Deeds or titles of any real estate owned.
Bank statements: Recent financial statements from banks or financial institutions.
Debt documentation: Statements or agreements related to any loans or debts.

Key takeaways

The Washington Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding is an essential tool in legal proceedings. By thoroughly completing this form and avoiding common pitfalls, parties can effectively communicate their financial and personal situations, aiding in a more efficient resolution of divorce matters.

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FAQ

Motions to Compel If a party doesn't respond to interrogatories or requests for production, then the party seeking those answers must file a motion to compel with the court. If the court grants the motion to compel, then the party who objected or failed to answer must then do so.

The plaintiff must give you responses to the request for interrogatories within 45 days of when you mailed the request. If they do not give you a response you can send a final request to the plaintiff. In the final request tell the plaintiff they have another 30 days to give you answers to your interrogatory requests.

Interrogatories are written questions that one party to a lawsuit sends to another, and the responding party submits written answers under oath. If a lawsuit is filed in a personal injury case, chances are interrogatories will come into play.

Your answers to the interrogatories should usually be short, clear, and direct and should answer only the question that is being asked. This is not the time to set out your entire case or defense to the other side. Take the time to make sure your answers are correct and truthful.

You must answer each interrogatory separately and fully in writing under oath, unless you object to it. You must explain why you object. You must sign your answers and objections.

What is the discovery phase of a divorce? By definition, discovery is part of the pre-trial phase of a divorce in which each side obtains evidence and information from the other side.Discovery can include interrogatories, requests for production of documents, requests for admissions, depositions and subpoenas.

There are several kinds of written discovery that you and your spouse can use to get all the information you need. You will likely be required to answer the questions and produce all the documents asked for as long as it is reasonable, and a lot is considered reasonable during a divorce.

So, can you refuse to answer interrogatories? The answer is, no, you may not.That answer must either permit inspection of the requested information or object to the production of the information for a specific reason.

(2) In addition to section (b)(1), any party may serve upon any other party not more than two sets of written interrogatories containing not more than 20 questions per set without prior permission of the court.

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Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding for either Plaintiff or Defendant

Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive summary of discovery law in Washington, but does include basic and other information.

Definitions

Discovery:

A procedure designed to allow disclosure of information between Plaintiffs and Defendants. Written questions, oral questioning, document production and admissions requests are generally allowed. Discovery was designed to to prevent trial by ambush.

Interrogatories:

Written questions from Plaintiff to Defendant, or from Defendant to Plaintiff. The questions are mailed to the Plaintiff, Defendant or the attorney for response in writing. The answers or responses are usually due between 20-30 days.

Deposition:

A procedure where verbal questions are asked a Plaintiff or Defendant for immediate response. Depositions are usually recorded by a court reporter, who swears the person to tell the truth before questioning begins.

Production of Documents:

The method of obtaining documents from the other party relevant to the case such as all documents a party intends to introduce at trial.

Requests for Admissions:

Written questions where you request the other party to admit or deny some relevant fact.

Objections:

Objections may be made to all discovery questions if the questions are not relevant, or likely to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence.

Civil Procedure Rules:

Virtually all states have adopted a version of civil procedure rules which include rules dealing with discovery.

Washington Rules of Civil Procedure

Washington has adopted the Washington Rules for the Superior Court. The discovery provisions are contained in the Washington Superior Court Rules. The discovery rules also apply in divorce actions.

Discovery Methods:

Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the followings methods: depositions upon oral examinations or written questions, written interrogatories, production of documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property, physical and mental examinations, and requests for admission. Rule 26(a)

Scope:

Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. Rule 26(b)(1)

Experts:

A party may through interrogatories require another party to identify each person whom the other party expects to call as an expert witness at trial. Rule 26(b)(5)

Sequence and Timing of Discovery:

Unless the court upon motion, for the convenience of parties and witnesses and in the interests of justice, orders otherwise, methods of discovery may be used in any sequence and the fact that a party is conducting discovery, whether by deposition or otherwise, shall not operate to delay any other party's discovery. Rule 26(d)

Supplementation of Responses:

A party who has responded to a request for discovery with a response that was complete when made is under no duty to supplement his response to information acquired, except as follows: the party is under a duty seasonably to supplement his response with respect to a question concerning the identity and location of persons having knowledge of discoverable matters and the identity of each person expected to be called as an expert witness at trial. A party is also under a duty to amend a prior response if the party knows the response was incorrect when made or he knows the response though correct when made is no longer true. Rule 26(e)

Depositions:

Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken:

Within the state, depositions may be taken before the following officers: court commissioners, superior courts, judicial officers, judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts, inferior judicial officers, notaries public, and special commissions. Rule 28

Within the United States or within a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States, depositions shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of the United States or of the place where the examination is held, or before a person appointed by the court in which the action is pending. Rule 28(a)

In a foreign country, depositions may be taken on notice before a person authorized to administer oaths in the place in which the examination is held, either by the law thereof or by the law of the United States, or before a person commissioned by the court, and the person so commissioned shall have the power by virtue of his commission to administer any necessary oath and take testimony, or pursuant to a letter rogatory or a letter of request, or pursuant to the means and terms of any applicable treaty or convention. Rule 28(b)

Stipulations:

Unless the court orders otherwise, the parties may by written stipulation provide that depositions be taken at any time, any place, and upon any notice. Rule 29

Interrogatories

Any party may serve upon another party written interrogatories to be answered by the party served. Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the reasons for objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. Rule 33

Production

Any party may serve upon another party a request to produce certain documents, not privileged, to be inspected and copied. Rule 34

Physical and Mental Examination of Persons

When the mental or physical condition of a party, is in controversy, the court in which the action is pending may order the party to submit to a physical or mental examination by a physician or to produce for examination the person in his custody or control. Rule 35

Requests for Admissions

A party may serve upon any other party a written request for the admission, of the truth of any matters within the scope of Rule 26(b) set forth in the request, including the genuineness of any documents described in the request. Rule 36

Compel Discovery

A party, upon reasonable notice to the other parties may apply for an order compelling discovery. If a party refuses to allow inspection or fails to answer a question propounded or submitted under Rules 30 or 31, the discovering party may move for an order compelling an answer. Rule 37

Domestic Actions Discovery Notes

If you require extra time to respond to discovery, you should ask the other side for an extension in writing. It may also be necessary to enter an order granting the extension to protect your rights.

Discovery questions are limited in number so select the most important questions to ask the other side. Don't waste your requests writing questions that you already know the answer to.

Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding for either Plaintiff or Defendant

Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive summary of discovery law in Washington, but does include basic and other information.

Definitions

Discovery:

Interrogatories:

Deposition:

Production of Documents:

The method of obtaining documents from the other party relevant to the case such as all documents a party intends to introduce at trial.

Requests for Admissions:

Written questions where you request the other party to admit or deny some relevant fact.

Objections:

Objections may be made to all discovery questions if the questions are not relevant, or likely to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence.

Civil Procedure Rules:

Virtually all states have adopted a version of civil procedure rules which include rules dealing with discovery.

Washington Rules of Civil Procedure

Discovery Methods:

Scope:

Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. Rule 26(b)(1)

Experts:

A party may through interrogatories require another party to identify each person whom the other party expects to call as an expert witness at trial. Rule 26(b)(5)

Sequence and Timing of Discovery:

Supplementation of Responses:

Depositions:

Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken:

Stipulations:

Unless the court orders otherwise, the parties may by written stipulation provide that depositions be taken at any time, any place, and upon any notice. Rule 29

Interrogatories

Production

Any party may serve upon another party a request to produce certain documents, not privileged, to be inspected and copied. Rule 34

Physical and Mental Examination of Persons

Requests for Admissions

Compel Discovery

Domestic Actions Discovery Notes

If you require extra time to respond to discovery, you should ask the other side for an extension in writing. It may also be necessary to enter an order granting the extension to protect your rights.

Discovery questions are limited in number so select the most important questions to ask the other side. Don't waste your requests writing questions that you already know the answer to.

Washington Discovery Interrogatories for Divorce Proceeding for either Plaintiff or Defendant

Definition and meaning

How to complete a form

Who should use this form

Key components of the form

Common mistakes to avoid when using this form

What documents you may need alongside this one

Key takeaways

Related forms

Viewed forms

Form popularity

FAQ

What happens if you don't answer interrogatories?

Does a plaintiff have to respond to interrogatories?

What is a interrogatories to plaintiff?

How do you respond to plaintiff's interrogatories?

Do you answer or respond to interrogatories?

What happens in the discovery phase of a divorce?

Do you have to answer interrogatories in a divorce?

Can you refuse to answer interrogatories?

How many interrogatories does Washington State have?

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