This blog entry on Atlanta Divorce Lawyers Guide to Divorce and Family Law Cases in Fulton County, Georgia pertains to the unique discovery procedures in place for Fulton county divorce and family law cases. Unlike other counties in Georgia, and other types of cases in Georgia (whether in Atlanta or anywhere else in the state), Fulton County requires a mandatory set of Discovery which both parties must respond to at the 30 Day Status Conference.
At the point of filing a divorce or other family law matter in Fulton County, both parties receive what is generally known as the Standard Initiation Packet. While there is a great deal of useful information in this packet, there are four particular documents we want to draw your attention to: Answers to Interrogatories, Required Documents to be Produced, a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit and information regarding the required Child Support Worksheets.
The Answers to Interrogatories and Required Documents to be Produced are commonly referred to as the mandatory discovery disclosures in Fulton County. The county requires each party to complete the standard set of questions being asked (the Interrogatories) and "produce" various documents (such as tax returns, pay stubs, evidence of other income, retirement, costs for the minor children, etc.) at the 30 Day Status Conference. This requirement must be met, even if the parties live in the same household. The purpose of these requirements is to allow everyone involved in the case the same basic information to proceed with issues such as child support, alimony, and equitable division.