Interrogatories
About this form
Interrogatories are a type of legal document used during litigation to obtain information from the opposing party. This form allows a petitioner or plaintiff to formally ask a series of questions that the defendant or respondent must answer in writing. This multi-state form can be adapted for various jurisdictions, making it versatile for different legal cases where clarification of facts is required.
Key parts of this document
- Identification of parties involved: Clearly states the petitioner/plaintiff and defendant/respondent.
- Specific Interrogatories: A set of numbered questions aimed at revealing important information related to the case.
- Instructions on answering: Specifies that separate answers are required from each party for clarity.
- Certification of service: A section for confirming that the interrogatories have been sent to the opposing party.
Situations where this form applies
This form is typically used in civil litigation cases when one party needs to clarify facts or gather information from another party. Common scenarios include estate disputes, contract disputes, or personal injury cases where understanding the other party's knowledge and actions is crucial for the case.
Intended users of this form
- Petitioners or plaintiffs seeking to gather information for their case.
- Defendants or respondents responding to inquiries from the opposing party.
- Attorneys managing civil litigation cases who require structured information gathering.
Steps to complete this form
- Identify and list all parties involved in the case in the designated area.
- Complete each interrogatory with appropriate and concise answers, ensuring to address each question as required.
- Sign and date the document to certify its authenticity.
- Ensure to serve a copy of the completed interrogatories to the opposing party, as required.
Does this form need to be notarized?
Notarization is not commonly needed for this form. However, certain documents or local rules may make it necessary. Our notarization service, powered by Notarize, allows you to finalize it securely online anytime, day or night.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Failing to provide complete and honest answers to each interrogatory.
- Not following the specific instructions on how to respond to each question.
- Missing the deadline for submitting the interrogatories.
- Not keeping a copy of the submitted interrogatories for personal records.
Benefits of using this form online
- Convenient access to legal forms that can be downloaded and filled out at home.
- Editable templates allow customization to fit specific legal needs.
- Assurance that forms are drafted by licensed attorneys, ensuring compliance with current laws.
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FAQ
Interrogatories can be quicker, less costly, and less complicated than depositions, but there are downsides. Since the questions are written, the witness may have more time to think and craft answers, rather than providing more candid answers during discovery.
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.
Interrogatories are lists of questions sent to the other party that s/he must respond to in writing. You can use interrogatories to find out facts about a case but they cannot be used for questions that draw a legal conclusion.
Interrogatories Interrogatories are written questions that are sent by one party to another. Generally speaking, the party who receives these questions has 30 days to answer them.If the other party fails to respond on time, within 30 days, then the questions are deemed admitted.
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 purpose of interrogatories is to learn a great deal of general information about a party in a lawsuit. For example, the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit about a car accident might send you interrogatories asking you to disclose things like: Where you live.
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.
So, can you refuse to answer interrogatories? The answer is, no, you may not. You must answer a Rule 33 interrogatory within 30 days of being served with it. That answer must either permit inspection of the requested information or object to the production of the information for a specific reason.