Once we file for divorce, I am empowered with authority by the court to commence “Discovery.” I will issue a request for production of documents, a request for interrogatories, and a request for admissions. I serve it upon the other spouse and they have thirty days to respond.
But, then, I will go a step further, assuming that I need this information sooner than later, or that maybe I’m not getting correct information, I will issue subpoenas to other people who may have this information. Those subpoenas would include sending one to the tax to get the tax returns. It also goes to financial institutions to get account statements over a period of years, and it goes to credit card companies to get credit card statements. And, it will go to the other spouse’s employer to get information on income and deferred and non-deferred plans.
Then, everybody has to respond and provide me that information within a certain time frame. I usually try to get that before the temporary order hearing because then I am armed with good information for the court.