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New York Plaintiff's First Set of Interrogatories

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PLAINTIFF'S FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES PROPOUNDED TO THE DEFENDANT WITH REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION

Name of Petitioner/Plaintiff

Address of Petitioner/Plaintiff

City, State, Zip

Phone

IN THE SUPREME COURT FOR

COUNTY, STATE OF NEW YORK

YOUR NAME, Petitioner/Plaintiff

Vs.

DEFENDANT'S NAME, Respondent/Defendant

PLAINTIFF'S FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES PROPOUNDED TO THE DEFENDANT WITH REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION

CASE NO.

COMES NOW ("Plaintiff") and propounds the following interrogatories to ("Defendant") pursuant to New York Rules, and other applicable provisions of said Rules, and gives notice that each and every interrogatory or section thereof is to be answered separately, in writing, under oath of the aforesaid Defendant within the legal number of days of the date of service hereof, and further gives notice that these interrogatories and request for production of documents and things are deemed to be continuing, and, that if different or additional information is received by Defendant after answers hereto are submitted and filed, same is to be provided to this Plaintiff in writing. Production requests are also made pursuant to the rules of New York. Plaintiff requests that Production of documents be made on the same date as the date Answers to Interrogatories are due and shall be made to Plaintiff at the following address:

INTERROGATORY NO. 1

State your full name, social security number, date of birth, residence address, and telephone number.

INTERROGATORY NO. 2

Please attach to your answer to these interrogatories copies of your income tax returns and W-2 forms for the past three years.

Documents attached

INTERROGATORY NO. 4

State your total income to date since , and attach to your answers copies of your last five paycheck stubs.

INTERROGATORY NO. 5

List all assets presently owned by you. Give a complete and detailed listing. For each asset, give its nature, description, location, date of acquisition, present market value, and the name and address of any person that you hold same with jointly.

INTERROGATORY NO. 6

List the name, place of employment and telephone number of any person or persons who are presently residing at the address which you listed as your residence in your answer to Interrogatory No. 1.

INTERROGATORY NO. 7

If you rent the place in which you live, give the name of your landlord, his or her address and telephone number.

INTERROGATORY NO. 8

Outline in detail your monthly living expenses.

INTERROGATORY NO. 9

List all other income received by you other than from your employment, stating the source and the amount.

INTERROGATORY NO. 10

If you claim to have grounds for divorce against the Plaintiff, please state all circumstances, facts, and events, upon which you base such grounds.

INTERROGATORY NO. 11

What safety deposit boxes do you currently maintain whether alone or jointly held? For each box, state the name and address of the bank, the box number, the name in which said box is maintained, the name and address of each and every person having access thereto, the contents of each box, and the date each box was acquired.

INTERROGATORY NO. 12

What bank accounts, if any, do you presently maintain, whether alone or jointly held? For each account, state whether active, inactive or closed, the style of the account, the name of the bank or banks, the name and address of each and every person authorized to make withdrawals therefrom, the account number, and whether checking or savings.

INTERROGATORY NO. 13

Do third parties hold any property in trust for you or for your benefit? If so, give full and complete particulars, including the name and address of said persons and exact descriptions and locations of property.

INTERROGATORY NO. 14

Have you ever been arrested? If so, for each occasion, state the date of the arrest, the county and state in which the arrest occurred, and the reason for such arrest.

INTERROGATORY NO. 15

Have you ever received psychiatric treatment? If so, state the physician administering same, his address and telephone number, and the date or dates of the treatment.

INTERROGATORY NO. 16

Are you taking any drugs, and the amount of money you spend each month for said drugs.

INTERROGATORY NO. 17

Do you use any type of drugs which are not prescribed by a physician (i.e., marijuana, heroin, cocaine)? If so, state the type of drug or drugs which you use, the place in which you exercise such use, when you began using said drug or drugs, and the amount of money you spend each month for said drugs.

INTERROGATORY NO. 18

Do you consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis? If so, state the type of alcoholic beverage which you consume, and the amount of money you spend each month on said alcoholic beverages.

INTERROGATORY NO. 19

Are you addicted to alcohol or drugs of any kind? If so, specify what it is you are addicted to and when you became addicted to same.

INTERROGATORY NO. 20

Have you ever had sexual relations with anyone other spouse during the course of your marriage? If so, name and address of each individual, and the time of each sexual encounter.

INTERROGATORY NO. 21

State whether or not you have provided any banks or other lending institutions with financial statements during the past 24 months. For each such occurrence, state the names and addresses of the banks or lending institutions, and the date said financial statement was provided.

INTERROGATORY NO. 22

For each person you shall call as a witness at the trial of this case, please state: the witness's name and address, whether employed by you, and the subject matter to which the witness shall testify. Prior to trial, please supplement your answer to this interrogatory.

INTERROGATORY NO. 23

For each person you allege to be an occurrence witness of any of the things and matters sought to be proved by you at the trial of this case, please state: the witness's name and address, whether employed by you, and the subject matter to which the witness shall testify. Prior to trial, please supplement your answers to this interrogatory.

INTERROGATORY NO. 24

For each person whom you expect to call as an expert witness at the trial, providing his name, address and telephone number, please state:

a. The subject matter in which identified is expected to testify.

b. The substance of the facts and which each expert is expected to testify.

c. Give a summary of the grounds for each person set out above.

d. State the educational background, educational training, and experience of each person above which qualifies him as an expert, and identify the field of such expertise.

INTERROGATORY NO. 25

For each document or other item you shall offer as an exhibit at the trial of this case, please state: the title or name of the document, date of the document and purpose for which it will be used as an exhibit.

INTERROGATORY NO. 26

State the names and addresses of all persons involved in the answering of these interrogatories.

INTERROGATORY NO. 27

Have you, as the Defendant in this case, read the answers to each and every one of the above interrogatories and requests for production of documents and things, and do you state that the answers thereto are true, complete, responsive and correct?

Yes No

INTERROGATORY NO. 28

If, at any time between this date and the date of the trial of this cause, you come into possession of information which, if such information were known to you, would properly have to be disclosed in the answers to these interrogatories or requests for production of documents and things, or any of them, will you disclose such newly discovered information, if any, to Plaintiff within fifteen days after such information comes into your possession or prior to the trial, whichever is first?

Yes No

Respectfully submitted,

Signature of Plaintiff

NAME

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, , Plaintiff, do hereby certify that I have this day mailed, by United States mail, postage prepaid, a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing Plaintiff's First Set of Interrogatories to Defendant at:

Name of Defendant

Address

DATED, this the day of , 20.

Signature of Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

TO: All Counsel of Record:

Notice is hereby given that Plaintiffs have this date served in the above entitled action:

PLAINTIFF'S FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES PROPOUNDED TO THE DEFENDANT WITH REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION

The undersigned retains the originals of the above papers as custodian thereof pursuant to Court Rules.

DATED:

Respectfully Submitted,

By:

Signature of Plaintiff

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, , Plaintiff in the above referenced civil action, do hereby certify that I have this day caused to be delivered, via United States Postal Service, first class postage prepaid, a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing document to:

Defendants Name

Address

THIS the day of , 20.

Signature

Enter text✕

What this plaintiff's first set of interrogatories is and when it's used

New York Plaintiff's First Set of Interrogatories is a formal discovery tool a plaintiff serves on a defendant to obtain sworn, written answers about facts, witnesses, document locations, and legal contentions relevant to the claim. The document contains numbered questions, definitions, and instructions for producing responsive documents and identifying custodians. Answers are verified under penalty and may be used at trial, in motions, or to narrow disputed issues. Properly drafted interrogatories focus discovery, preserve testimony, and reduce the need for repetitive depositions.

Why a carefully drafted first set of interrogatories matters

A precise plaintiff's first set of interrogatories narrows factual disputes, preserves evidence, and can produce admissions useful for motions or settlement. Clear phrasing limits objections and helps courts efficiently resolve discovery disputes.

Why a carefully drafted first set of interrogatories matters

Who commonly prepares and uses this document

Attorneys and litigation teams typically draft and serve the plaintiff's first set of interrogatories early in discovery to establish the factual record.

  • Plaintiff counsel seeking admissions, witness identities, and document sources before depositions.
  • In-house litigation counsel coordinating discovery work and tracking deadlines.
  • Litigation paralegals drafting interrogatory schedules and compiling supporting exhibits.

Assign clear drafting, review, and service roles to avoid missed deadlines and ensure responses are admissible and verifiable.

Typical roles and responsibilities

Plaintiff Attorney

Lead counsel drafts interrogatories to target core disputed facts, coordinates exhibits and verification language, and monitors responses for inconsistencies that can be used in motions or trial preparation. The attorney also evaluates objections and moves to compel when necessary.

Litigation Paralegal

Paralegals assemble exhibits, number requests, and prepare service packets; they track response deadlines, catalog incoming answers, and maintain an indexed discovery database to support deposition prep and trial exhibits.

Step-by-step: preparing and serving the first set

Follow a clear sequence to draft, review, serve, and monitor responses to the first set of interrogatories.

  • 01
    Draft questions: Target facts, witnesses, and documents with concise, non‑argumentative wording.
  • 02
    Internal review: Have counsel and a paralegal check definitions, exhibits, and verification language.
  • 03
    Service: Serve according to local rules and document proof of service.
  • 04
    Track responses: Log incoming answers, verify dates, and flag objections for motion practice.

Configuring a digital workflow for interrogatories

Set up an electronic workflow to manage drafting, signature, exhibit attachments, and proof of service.

Field Configuration
Document upload Upload PDF or DOCX with numbered exhibits attached.
Signature fields Place verification signature and date fields for the responding party.
Authentication Require email or stronger signer authentication per case sensitivity.
Service proof Enable timestamped audit trail and delivery receipts.

Typical process for serving and processing answers

A straightforward process improves compliance and creates reliable evidence for court use.

  • Prepare packet: Compile interrogatories, exhibits, and service affidavit.
  • Serve defendant: Serve by mail, electronic delivery, or as permitted by court rules.
  • Receive responses: Log answers, attached documents, and verification signatures.
  • Review and act: Evaluate responses for completeness and consider motions to compel if warranted.

Technical considerations for electronic completion and service

Choose a platform that supports secure document formats, signer authentication, and an auditable delivery trail.

  • Document formats: PDF and DOCX support for stable formatting.
  • Authenticator options: Email, SMS, or stronger verification available.
  • Audit artifacts: Time stamps, IP, and delivery receipts captured.

Confirm the chosen workflow satisfies local court rules for service and offers exportable proof of delivery and signature verification.

Key components included in a professional set of interrogatories

A well-constructed set contains standardized sections and clear instructions to reduce objections and facilitate enforceable responses.

Caption

Court name, index number, and parties appear at the top and must match all case filings precisely for proper court record linkage and service.

Definitions

Concise definitions clarify terms—e.g., 'document', 'person', 'communication'—to limit semantic objections and ensure consistent answers.

Instruction section

Instructions address scope, format for production, and burden objections; include a date range where applicable to focus discovery.

Interrogatory text

Numbered questions should be single‑issue where possible, avoiding compound questions that invite objections and ambiguous answers.

Exhibit schedule

Label each exhibit and reference them in specific interrogatories so documents produced can be quickly matched to answers.

Verification

A sworn verification block with signature and date makes responses admissible and subjects them to penalty for perjury if false.

Security and compliance considerations for handling responses

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 transit, AES‑256 at rest
Audit trail: Timestamped events and IP metadata
Access controls: Role-based permissions and session management
HIPAA: BAA required for PHI in healthcare cases
ESIGN / UETA: Compliant with federal and state e‑signature laws
Retention: Tamper-evident storage with exportable logs

Common drafting and service errors to avoid

  • Asking compound or ambiguous questions that invite objections and require excessive clarification during meet-and-confer.
  • Failing to attach or properly label exhibits referenced in questions, causing mismatches in produced documents and answers.
  • Serving interrogatories without verifying service rules or failing to include a proof of service, risking challenge or exclusion.
  • Omitting a clear verification block or using informal signatures that undermine the sworn authenticity of responses.

Legal risks and potential sanctions for defective or late responses

Waiver of issues: Incomplete answers can waive factual claims or defenses
Court sanctions: Courts may impose monetary or evidentiary sanctions
Spoliation risk: Poor document handling can trigger spoliation findings
Perjury exposure: False verifications risk criminal or civil penalties
Motion costs: Motion to compel can increase litigation expenses
Privilege disputes: Overbroad withholdings can prompt in camera review

Typical timing rules and response expectations

Response periods and procedures differ by jurisdiction; note federal rules and confirm local New York practice before serving.

Federal Rule:

FRCP 33(b)(2) generally gives 30 days to respond to interrogatories.

New York practice:

Response times vary by CPLR and local rules; verify applicable county or court rules.

Meet-and-confer periods:

Allow time for meet-and-confer before filing discovery motions.

Motion to compel:

Filing deadlines follow local practice once responses are deficient.

Time extensions:

Parties may stipulate to extended response periods in writing.

Key milestones from service to resolution

A sequential milestone view helps coordinate drafting, service, follow up, and potential motion practice.

01

Draft and internal review

Finalize interrogatories and exhibits with counsel and client approval.

02

Service

Serve interrogatories and preserve proof of service and delivery artifacts.

03

Receive responses

Log answers, productions, and verification signatures upon receipt.

04

Resolve disputes

Meet-and-confer, then move to compel if necessary per local rules.

Realistic case examples showing how interrogatories are used

Two concise examples illustrate typical plaintiff uses of the first set of interrogatories in litigation.

Employment Dispute Example

A plaintiff alleges wrongful termination and serves interrogatories identifying decision‑makers and personnel files

  • Seeks names, dates, and communications to support timing and motive
  • Verified answers with document production allowed counsel to target depositions and supported a successful summary judgment motion by narrowing disputed facts.

Contract Breach Example

In a contract dispute the plaintiff requests delivery dates, invoice numbers, and customer communications

  • Requests related documents and witness identities
  • Organized responses led to admissions about performance dates and reduced the scope of contested contract interpretation at trial.

Practical tips for drafting effective interrogatories

Adopt consistent drafting conventions and verification practices to reduce disputes and improve enforceability.

Use single‑issue questions
Frame each interrogatory around one discrete topic to avoid compound question objections and obtain clear, discoverable answers.
Define key terms
Provide short, unambiguous definitions for recurring terms (dates, entities, documents) to minimize semantic objections and promote consistent responses.
Limit scope by time or subject
Where appropriate, set date ranges or subject matter limits to prevent arguments about overbreadth and burdensomeness.
Require specific document identifiers
Ask for document identifiers, Bates ranges, or exhibit labels to make produced materials traceable and admissible at later stages.

Typical eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot for discovery workflows

Comparison shows common pricing and feature lines relevant to managing interrogatory production and verified responses using eSignature tools.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Varies Varies Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Varies Varies Varies Varies
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently asked questions about preparing and serving the first set

Answers to common procedural and technical questions help avoid service errors, objections, and avoidable motions to compel.


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