What does full-discovery mean in a divorce context?

Full question:

What is a full-discovery? My soon to be ex-husband keeps telling me that he is going to do a full-discovery on me.

  • Category: Discovery
  • Date:
  • State: Missouri

Answer:

In legal terms, discovery is the process where both parties in a case exchange information and gather evidence for trial. Full discovery typically includes:

  • Requests for Production of Documents: Written requests asking the other party to provide relevant documents for review.
  • Requests for Admission: Requests asking the other party to admit certain facts that are not in dispute, which can streamline the trial process.
  • Depositions: Sworn statements from parties or witnesses, recorded by a court reporter, to clarify what they will say during the trial.

Courts generally allow a wide range of information to be discovered, as long as it is relevant to the case or could lead to relevant evidence. This process is designed to ensure that both sides have the information they need before trial.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

After the discovery phase in a lawsuit, the next steps typically include pre-trial motions, settlement discussions, and eventually the trial itself. During pre-trial, parties may file motions to resolve issues before trial or seek to dismiss the case. If a settlement is not reached, the case will proceed to trial where evidence is presented, and a judge or jury makes a decision.