A list of questions that are designed by a person to be answered by another party during a legal case are called interrogatories. The main reason why these are used is to determine facts and present them during a trial. There are often questions that arise during interrogatories that may need legal answers. Answered below are some of the commonly asked questions about interrogatories.

Will it be legal to ask for interrogatories before mediation?
Many times interrogatories are also referred to as discovery during a legal case. In most situations, lawyers may use information gained from interrogatories to determine if their client is being treated fairly or not. Any information that is got during the mediation may not be used during court proceedings.

What would be the consequences of not answering all the questions during interrogatories?
One may have the choice of not answering any questions that one may feel are pushy or bothersome. However, in such a situation, the other party's lawyer may set a hearing on motion to compel. The matter will be taken to court once the lawyer has done this. The individual may then explain to the judge at the hearing as to why he/she does not want to answer the questions. The lawyer of the opposite party may also try to explain why the answers are required. The judge will take a decision after listening to both the parties.

What would be the consequences if the interrogatories were given late and the opposite party filed a motion for default judgment?
In most cases, the judge may have the final say and decide on the matter. He/she may decide after listening to both the parties. The judge may excuse the delay if there was a genuine reason for it. If the attorney was the one who delayed, then he/she may be questioned in a personal capacity. Most of the times, the attorney may inform the court that it was not the person's fault and request for leniency.

Can someone object to interrogatories without giving an explanation?
One must give a valid reason if one is objecting an interrogatory. The other party may then file a motion and state that the objections are improper and demand answers. One may not be asked to provide any documents while asking for interrogatories. However the other party may be asked about the existence of documents and they may be asked to identify them. Once this is done, one may request to obtain the documents.

Can one object to interrogatories about one's finances?
In most cases, one may not be able to object to interrogatories about one's finances. One may be required by law to give any financial information during a divorce case. The other party's lawyer may have the legal right to know about the finances when dealing with issues like child support, custody or spousal support. If the other party's lawyer requests for something that is very difficult to produce, then the individual may refuse to produce it.

Interrogatories are standard procedures during a legal proceeding. There can be many questions that may arise that may need professional answers from a qualified lawyer. When faced with legal questions that you are unsure about, you may ask a family lawyer to evaluate the particulars of your case and answer any questions that you may have on the matter.