Interrogatories

Since interrogatories are designed to get information from the other party to a lawsuit, it makes sense that, in addition to asking for information, you also ask for any documents which are related to the information you seek. A Request for Production of Document is often issued along with a set of interrogatories.

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.

A person served with interrogatories has thirty days after service to respond in writing. You must answer each interrogatory separately and fully in writing under oath, unless you object to it.

Interrogatories. Written questions submitted to a party from his or her adversary to ascertain answers that are prepared in writing and signed under oath and that have relevance to the issues in a lawsuit.

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.

You do not need court permission to serve interrogatories on the other party. A person served with interrogatories has thirty days after service to respond in writing. You must answer each interrogatory separately and fully in writing under oath, unless you object to it. You must explain why you object.

Under Rule 33, answers to interrogatories must be verified and must be signed by the person answering the interrogatory, not only by the party's attorney.

A Request for Interrogatories will ask the opposing party a series of questions to help aid in the fact finding process of the case. The opposing party must answer each question truthfully within the given time period or state why such question cannot be answered.

(2) Time to Respond. The responding party must serve its answers and any objections within 30 days after being served with the interrogatories. A shorter or longer time may be stipulated to under Rule 29 or be ordered by the court.

If you are unable to answer an interrogatory because it is too vague, ambiguous, or somehow objectionable, you can state an objection and the reason for your objection. You must then answer to the extent the interrogatory is not objectionable.