Affordable Help with California Family Law Discovery and Subpoenas
Get experienced attorney assistance drafting discovery requests, responding to discovery, and preparing subpoenas for your family law case.
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Convenient Assistance with Written Discovery and Subpoenas
Discovery is one of the most powerful tools available in California family law, and it is also one of the most intimidating for self-represented litigants. If you believe the opposing party is understating income, hiding assets, or withholding important information, discovery gives you the ability to obtain that information.
The problem is that drafting effective discovery requests requires more than filling in blanks on a form. Poorly worded requests can be easily objected to or produce useless responses. Well-crafted requests, on the other hand, can uncover the information you need to support your position on custody, support, property division, or any other issue in your case.
The Law Office of Dan Sweeney provides affordable, limited-scope assistance with written discovery and subpoenas. During a 60-minute video-conference session, we work with you to identify what information you need, develop a strategy for obtaining it, and draft the specific requests or subpoenas your case requires.
Common Projects
Custody or Visitation Orders
We review your circumstances, discuss options, and help with paperwork.
Learn more about California custody and visitation →Child Support Requests
We review your circumstances, run guideline calculations and assist with necessary paperwork.
Learn more about California child support →Written Discovery
We review your evidentiary needs, create a discovery plan and assist in drafting requests.
Learn more about California discovery requests→New Divorce/Legal Separation
We introduce you to the process, answer your questions, and assist with initial paperwork.
Learn more about California divorce and legal separation →Mandatory Financial Disclosures
We help organize your information and ensure your financial paperwork is completed properly.
Learn more about California’s mandatory financial disclosures →Divorce or Separation Judgment
We help you obtain your final judgment and assist with the necessary paperwork.
Learn more obtaining a California judgment of divorce →Why Discovery Matters in Your Case
Family law cases are decided based on the evidence of the case. If you lack access to crucial information you could be at a serious disadvantage. Discovery helps levels the playing field.
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure you have the right to demand that the other party answer written questions under oath, produce financial records, admit or deny specific facts, and turn over relevant documents. You can also use subpoenas to obtain records directly from banks, employers, and other third parties. Again, discovery is a very powerful tool.
Many self-represented litigants skip discovery entirely because it feels complicated. That is a mistake. Even a single, well-targeted set of requests can produce the evidence you need to support your case.
Simple Flat Fee Pricing
- ✓ Experienced and thoughtful assistance
- ✓ Trustworthy advice and direction
- ✓ Assistance preparing necessary documents
- ✓ Filing and service instructions. Add-on services for filing and service available at additional cost.
- ✓ No retainer or ongoing commitment
*Discount of $50 available to litigants with an active fee waiver order or current qualification under sections 5a or 5b of the Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001). Use coupon code FEEWAIVER when booking your session.
How It Works
Schedule
Visit our booking page and book a video conference session. Pick the day and time that works best for you.
Prepare
Ensure relevant info and documents are available. Jot down notes to discuss. Be organized.
Attend
We’ll discuss your goals and options, and prepare the forms you’ll need to move forward.
Types of Discovery We Help With
California family law provides several discovery tools. We can help you use any of them effectively:
Frequently Asked Questions
We can typically complete a full discovery request in one session. For more complex situations, additional sessions may be needed. We can give you a better estimate once we better understand your needs.
You generally have 30 days from the date of service to respond (35 days if served by mail). If you cannot meet the deadline, it is possible to request an extension from the opposing party, but this is something they have to agree to. Failing to respond can result in the waiver of potential objections, an order to compel from the court requiring responses, monetary sanctions, and adverse orders.
Yes. Discovery is one of the most effective tools for uncovering hidden or unreported income. Through a combination of interrogatories, document requests, and subpoenas to employers, banks, and tax authorities, we can help you build a more complete picture of the other party’s financial situation. This is especially important in support calculations where the outcome depends directly on accurate income information.
A Request for Production of Documents is served on the other party and requires them to produce documents in their possession. A Deposition Subpoena for the Production (SUBP-010) is served on a third party, such as a bank, employer, or school, and compels the third party to produce records directly. Subpoenas are especially useful when you do not trust the other party to produce accurate or complete records.
You can, but discovery has technical requirements that are easy to get wrong. Requests must be properly formatted, served correctly, and comply with specific code sections. Poorly drafted requests are likely to draw objections that may be sustained by the court. Working with an attorney, even on a limited-scope basis, helps ensure your discovery is effective and enforceable.
About Dan
Dan Sweeney brings more than 20 years of California family law experience to every session.
- ✓ Former manager of the San Diego Superior Court Family Law Facilitator’s Office
- ✓ Assisted thousands of self-represented litigants in a wide array of issues
- ✓ Over ten years experience representing clients in divorce and custody litigation
- ✓ Understands what your judicial officer is looking for and where self-represented litigants often fall short
Need Help with Your Case?
Book a 90-minute session and get affordable, convenient and professional help from an experienced California family law attorney. No expensive retainer and no ongoing commitment.
Book a Session Call 619-878-8385