The purpose of discovery is to gather information that is relevant to the divorce case. This information can be used to support or defend the claims of either spouse.

In a divorce case, discovery can be used to obtain a wide range of information, including financial records, medical records, and communications between the spouses.

During discovery, the spouses, the children, and third parties can all be compelled to produce information that is relevant to the divorce case.

The different methods of discovery include interrogatories, requests for production of documents, depositions, and physical and mental examinations.

Discovery in divorce cases is limited to information that is relevant to the case, not privileged, and not unduly burdensome or expensive to obtain.

The court may impose sanctions, enter a default judgment against the non-complying party, or dismiss the case if a party fails to comply with discovery orders.

A protective order in the context of discovery can limit the scope of discovery, prevent the disclosure of certain information, or require the parties to meet and confer before conducting discovery.

The court has a role in supervising the discovery process, resolving disputes between the parties about discovery, and imposing sanctions for discovery abuses.

Discovery in divorce cases can be expensive, time-consuming, and can involve the disclosure of confidential information.

The parties can avoid discovery disputes by meeting and conferring before conducting discovery, agreeing to a discovery plan, and using technology to facilitate discovery.

Discovery helps to ensure that both parties have all of the information they need to make informed decisions about their case, helps to narrow the issues in dispute, and helps to promote settlement.

Attorneys must not use discovery to harass or intimidate the other party, must not use discovery to obtain information that is not relevant to the case, and must not use discovery to delay the proceedings.

Some of the recent trends in discovery in divorce cases include the use of technology to facilitate discovery, the increasing use of protective orders to limit the scope of discovery, and the growing emphasis on proportionality in discovery.

The future of discovery in divorce cases is likely to see discovery becoming more streamlined and efficient, more focused on the issues that are truly in dispute, and more collaborative.