More in detail what I am asking " is there a specific formate to respond to the plaintiff's interrogatories to defendent & plaintiff's first request for production of documents in order to be accepted by the court?" I am assuming that upon answering the questions, in writing and under oath, my answer must be notiorized. I represent myself.
The short answer is yes, there is a specific format. The long answer would occupy far too much space to insert here. So I'll give you the medium answer. The response to interrogatories should be titled just that -- Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Interrogatories. Make sure you retype the actual interrogatories, then, for each one, write "Response," followed by your actual response. Title the other document "Defendant's Response to Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's First Request For Production of Documents." For that one, also retype the actual document requests.
The response, in each document, should outline any objections that you may have to the particular interrogatories or document requests. Documents that you produce should be sequentially numbered and you, of course, should retain a copy.
Your responses should also be signed at the end.
See if you can obtain a copy of any response to such documents that has been used in the court in which the action is pending.
Good luck to you.
I am not licensed in MD. In most jurisdictions, however, you need to provide objections and answers to interrogatories and document requests within thirty-three days (if service is by mail). In some jurisdictions if you do not object timely or adequately state objections they are waived. Typically you need a lawyer to identify and preserve objections.
Interrogatory answers must be stated separately and under oath. In some instances, you have the option to produce business records in lieu of a lengthy complicated response. I do not know enough about your situation to have an opinion as to whether that is an option for you.
Document responses do not have to be under oath. You should produce records by designating which requests they are responsive to or by producing them as they are ordinarily kept in the ordinary course of business. You may also provide your opponent with the opportunity to inspect and copy at your office at a mutually convenient time and date.
Good luck.
Mr. Haber gave an excellent answer. Make sure each interrogatory and each document request has an answer.
You do not need to get anything notarized and they won't be "accepted by the court" because you don't submit them to the court. You send them to the other party or the party's attorney.
