A Guide to Filing a Lawsuit Against Someone 13/06/2022 Elise Hill If you’ve been wronged by someone and are considering taking legal action, you may be wondering where to start. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to file a lawsuit against someone. We’ll go over the different types of lawsuits, the process of filing a lawsuit, what to expect during the litigation process, and more, so stick around. Learn the State Law Every state in America is like its own little country with its own rules and regulations. This is especially true when it comes to civil lawsuits. Because of this, you’ll need to learn the state law that pertains to your case before anything else. For example, the industry standard in California is 6 attempts to serve the defendant before a judge allows you to move forward with alternative methods. In contrast, in Florida, only three attempts are required. If you’re not familiar with the law, your best bet is to hire an attorney who can advise you on how to proceed. Even if you decide to go it alone, initial consultation with an attorney will give you a better understanding of the law and what to expect moving forward. Serve the Defendant Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the state law, it’s time to serve the defendant. This simply means that you must deliver a copy of the complaint (the document that starts the lawsuit) to the person or business you’re suing. The complaint will list the allegations against the defendant and what you’re asking for in damages. The complaint must be delivered in a way that follows the state law. For example, it may need to be hand-delivered or sent by certified mail. Once the complaint is served, the defendant will have a certain amount of time to respond. File the Lawsuit If the defendant doesn’t respond to the complaint or attempts to resolve the matter outside of court, you can file the lawsuit. This involves going to your local courthouse and filing a copy of the complaint with the clerk’s office. You will also have to pay a filing fee, which varies by state. After the lawsuit is filed, the clerk will issue a summons, which must be served on the defendant and the complaint. The summons is a document that tells the defendant that they’ve been sued and that they need to appear in court on a specific date. It will also list any deadlines for responding to the lawsuit. Once the defendant is served with the summons and complaint, they will have to file a response with the court. At this point, both sides will begin exchanging information and evidence through the discovery process. This process can be lengthy, so be prepared for a long legal battle if you choose to go this route. Thanks for reading.…