Legal Question in Family Law in California
Production of Documents - overburdensome
My husband is involved in a child support issue. He has attended all hearings, complied with all document requests. Was going to school, unemployed for approx. 5 mths. Hearing set for 3/17, in 90 day probationary period at new job, wrote letter to both judge and Child support Services office requesting continuance for 90 days to not jeopardize new job. Instead, received a Notice and 34 Document requests, incl. copies of bank statements, cancelled checks for 2 yrs., Deeds of trust on prop., insurance policies on house and vehicles, prop. tax stmts., appraisals, loan apps., and more. Everything we have is jointly held, other than one credit card. I consider this an invasion of my privacy, since my financial information will be provided not only to the court, but to the opposing attorney and the other party. Is there any way we can fight this? Can I file a response to the Doc. Req. and provide information only pertaining to my husband? Or at the very least dispute those requests which I feel are overburdensome and irrelevant to the issue at hand? Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Production of Documents - overburdensome
Your husband will have to comply with the court order or risk sanction. You and your husband should sit down and come to an agreement in to maintain separate accounts for his and for your assets. Use a common checking only for paying joint bills. This approach will avoid having your income and property being disclosed for support hearings. It also will protect your income from being attached for child support. You should consider consulting an attorney about this matter.