Six Steps You Must Follow to File a Lawsuit

Getting the legal process started is just the easy part.  After you file a lawsuit, you will want to be prepared for what is coming next, as this will be one of the best lines of defense.  Being prepared also requires you to fully understand the steps of the legal process.  Here is what you can expect when you file a lawsuit.

File a Complaint

When you want justice to be served and legal action to take place, you, as the plaintiff, will need to first file a complaint.  Typically, you will file this complaint by filling out paperwork with your local court.  This will officially begin the litigation of your complaint.

Defendant Is Served

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘you’ve been served’ and it comes straight from the legal process.  Once you file a complaint, the defendant that you are filing against will be informed of the complaint.  They will be served paperwork by a process server in Orlando.  After they receive the paperwork, they need to answer the complaint.

Defendant Responds to Complaint

After being served, the defendant has a specific period to answer or respond to the complaint.  This must be done in writing by filling out certain forms to let the courts know about their stance.  They may file a Motion to Dismiss or an Answer form to respond appropriately depending on their stance towards the matter.

Discovery

Each party will be able to request information pertaining to the case.  This information will be collected as evidence, and it is typically documentation of conversations, interrogative information collected by attorneys, or other evidence to support their stance.  You may need to submit information to the other party as they request it.  These requests are broken down into a few categories:  Admissions, Interrogatories, and Production.

Response to Discovery

During the discovery process, it is imperative for both parties to respond to the requests made by the other parties.  If they fail to do so, or they fail to do so in the required time limits, they may suffer severe legal consequences.  There are many different steps that can then be taken to get the information you need or involve the courts in the discovery process.

Mediation or Court Proceedings

To negotiate the terms of the settlement and reach closure on the lawsuit, you will want to proceed to mediation or court.  Typically, these matters can be settled in mediation to avoid lengthy and expensive court proceedings.  Mediation also requires both parties to participate and reach a compromising settlement, which may be difficult in some cases.

These are the steps that you need to take when you file a lawsuit.  By understanding what to expect, you can prepare yourself for the long and emotional journey that may be in front you.  If you are looking for a quality process server in Orlando to start your lawsuit, contact us to hear about our qualifications today.