Which statement about the standard of 'reasonable inquiry' is true?

• A. It is subjective
• B. It is objective
• C. It varies by judge
• D. It applies only to experts

Answer: (B)

Reasonable inquiry is judged by an objective standard. The focus is on what a reasonably competent attorney would do in similar circumstances to verify the facts before filing or making a certification. It isn’t about the attorney’s personal belief or confidence, but about aligning with professional norms of reasonable investigation given the facts, complexity, and stakes of the case. That means the standard looks to what could reasonably be expected under the circumstances, rather than the subjective view of any one practitioner or a particular judge. It applies to all filings and certifications, not just to what experts might do, and while the specifics of a case can influence how much inquiry is reasonable, the benchmark remains the behavior of a reasonable attorney, not the idiosyncrasies of a given judge.