Source: http://kinseylaw.com/clientserv2/famlawservices/discovery/discovery.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 02:25:27+00:00

Document:
General Rule - Broad Discovery Rights: As a general rule, all unprivileged information that is relevant to the subject matter of the action is discoverable if it would itself be admissible evidence at trial or if it appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. [Ca Civ Pro § 2017.010] In marital proceedings, this general rule effectively means almost everything is discoverable (except to the extent compelled disclosure would unreasonably infringe third party privacy rights).
Employee Payroll Information: Since full disclosure of all financial information is essential to a fair and equitable division of the community estate and to a proper calculation of child and spousal support (Ca Fam § 2100, 2120(a)), a spouse's payroll information clearly is relevant and discoverable in marriage dissolution proceedings.
Postseparation Acquisitions: Though a spouse's postseparation acquisitions are his or her separate property (Ca Fam § 771(a)), any such acquisitions may include an apportionable community interest (e.g., because exchanged for a CP interest or because a product of the spouse's efforts and skill during marriage). Consequently discovery of postseparation acquisitions is clearly relevant to the issues of community property characterization and valuation; and the trial court abuses its discretion if it imposes a separation date cut-off on the right to conduct discovery of the other spouse's property holdings.
"Indirect" Property Interests To Show Ability To Pay Support: In a child support proceeding, Mother's request for production of "accounting records relating to all real estate rental property in which [alleged Father] had either a direct or indirect financial interest" was within the allowable scope of discovery as "relevant to the subject matter"; i.e., the request was likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence on the issue of alleged Father's ability to pay. "[I]nformation with respect to indirect ownership interests is just as relevant as that pertaining to direct ownership interests."
Information subject to an evidentiary privilege, although "relevant to the subject matter," is protected from discovery unless the privilege is waived. [Ca Civ Pro § 2017.010] However, all of the usual evidentiary privileges apply. Those most likely to arise in marital litigation are overviewed below.
Joint Client Exception: Clients represented by a common lawyer on a matter of mutual interest may not claim the attorney-client privilege as to communications made during the course of that common representation in the event of litigation between themselves. [Ca Evid § 962] It follows that where an attorney represented both spouses prior to separation, neither spouse (in subsequent family law litigation) may invoke the attorney-client privilege to bar discovery of information learned by the common attorney in the former "joint" representation (i.e., as between the spouses, communications with the common attorney were not "confidential").
Attorney Work Product: The statutory "attorney work product" doctrine is not technically an evidentiary "privilege." Nonetheless, it operates in much the same way as a privilege to protect "attorney work product" information from discovery. [Ca Civ Pro § 2018.010 et seq.] However, unlike evidentiary privileges, work product protection is not necessarily absolute.
The statutory purpose of the work product doctrine is to preserve the right to prepare one's case for trial "with that degree of privacy" necessary to encourage thorough preparation and investigation of all sides (pro and con); and to prevent counsel (and litigants) from taking unfair advantage of their adversary's industry and efforts (Ca Civ Pro § 2018.020). Beyond this statement of purpose, however, there is no statutory definition of "work product" and, hence, the matter is left to case law.
Child Abuse/Neglect Exception: Even though they learn of possible child abuse in the context of an otherwise privileged relationship, physicians and psychotherapists (as well as several others) have a mandatory duty under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (Ca Penal § 11164 et seq.) to report suspected child abuse or neglect to local law enforcement and juvenile authorities.
Between Spouses: As between the spouses, such a "compelling public interest" is rooted in the expressly-codified public policy requiring full and accurate disclosure of assets, liabilities, income and expenses to ensure a proper division of the community estate and "fair and sufficient" child and spousal support awards (Ca Fam §§ 2100, 2120(a)). Clearly, neither spouse in a marital proceeding may rest on a right of privacy objection to resist disclosure of personal financial information.
Requests For Admissions: RFA's may be used by a party to force another party to "admit the genuineness of specified documents, or the truth of specified matters of fact, opinion relating to fact, or application of law to fact." [Ca Civ Pro § 2033.010] Unlike other discovery tools, which are aimed at uncovering factual data that may be used to prove points at trial, RFAs are primarily aimed at putting disputed issues to rest so they will not have to be tried.
Physical And Mental Examinations: On noticed motion for good cause shown, the court may order a physical or mental examination of any party or person in the custody of a party whose physical or mental condition or blood group is in controversy in the action. [Ca Civ Pro § 2032.020 (a)] The examination will be limited to whatever condition is directly related to the subject of the litigation.
Whether or not the requesting party pursued follow-up discovery from the responding party's employer (Ca Fam § 3664(b)), the responding party risks monetary sanctions in an eventual support modification proceeding if he or she submitted an inaccurate or incomplete income and expense declaration pursuant to Ca Fam § 3660 et seq.
"Cite the witness" procedure: At the deposition; deposition officer then directs deponent to appear in court at time and place specified): See Ca Civ Pro § 2025.480(a)-(c).
Order To Show Cause Procedure: See Ca Civ Pro § 2025.480(a)-(c) and Ca Rules of Court Rule 337.
Notice Of Motion Procedure: See Ca Civ Pro § 2025.480(a)-(c) and Ca Rules of Court Rule 337.
Interrogatories: For failure to respond at all, see Ca Civ Pro § 2030.290 (no time limit on filing and no "meet and confer" prerequisite).
Requests For Admissions: For failure to respond, see Ca Civ Pro § 2033.280 (motion for order establishing admissions). For deficient responses (objections or evasive answers), see Ca Civ Pro § 2033.290 (motion must ordinarily be filed within 45 days after service of response or supplemental response, 50 days if service by mail).
Physical And Mental Examinations: For disobeyance of court-order for exam, sanctions are available (see Ca Civ Pro §§ 2032.410, 2032.420).For failure to exchange reports (per § 2032.610 demand), motion to compel delivery (Ca Civ Pro §§ 2032.620, 2032.650); and examiner's testimony can be barred.
$750.00 Flat. You represent yourself in Court. Includes document prep. plus 2 hours of consultation and research if necessary.

References: § 2017
 § 2100
 § 771
 § 2017
 § 962
 § 2018
 § 2018
 § 11164
 § 2033
 § 2032
 § 3664
 § 3660
 § 2025
 § 2025
 § 2025
 § 2030
 § 2033
 § 2033
 § 2032