Define: Requests for Production of Documents

Formal requests for production of documents in family law proceedings can be a very effective method for obtaining necessary and relevant documentation from the other spouse or parent. However, the process of serving and answering requests for production of documents can also be expensive. For this reason, most individuals going through a divorce or other family law proceeding will first attempt informal discovery before resorting to requests for production of documents and other formal discovery.

What are Requests for Production of Documents?

Minnesota law allows any party to serve on the other party a request to produce certain and specific documents. In a divorce proceedings, these requested documents usually include at a minimum:

  • income information, such as tax returns and pay stubs

  • retirement account statements

  • bank account statements

  • credit card statements and other debt statements

  • information on any home or other real estate owned

  • information on automobiles and recreational vehicles

The responding party must serve a written response under oath and provide the requested documents within 30 days the requests for production of documents were served. The responding party may object to producing any requested documents if the documents that are requested are unduly burdensome or would not otherwise lead to discoverable evidence.

Contact an Attorney if You Have Any Questions Regarding Requests for Production of Documents

If you are involved in a divorce or family law proceeding and the other side is not voluntarily providing necessary documents, you will likely need to serve a request for production of documents. Contact Blahnik, Prchal & Stoll to prepare and serve these formal discovery requests and to take the necessary measures to obtain all relevant documents needed for your divorce or other family law matter.  Our firm does normally attempt informal discovery first, which is the less expensive route.  However, if formal discovery is needed, our firm will serve requests for production of documents on the opposing party to obtain the necessary documents.