If you’ve been wronged by an individual or business, you can bring the matter to civil court. As the plaintiff, an attorney will work with you to ensure the defendant is ordered to pay you money or fulfill another obligation to resolve the issue. For a better idea of how the process works, here’s an introductory guide to filing a civil lawsuit. 

What You Should Do When Filing a Civil Lawsuit

File a Complaint

First, you must draft an official document stating the reason you plan to take legal action. Called the complaint, the document should mention your legal grounds for the suit, which is where the attorney can help. A lawyer will also make sure the document is formatted in compliance with the court guidelines. The notice should also mention the facts regarding the incident, why you believe the other party is at fault, and what you are seeking in restitution.  

Deliver the Complaint to the Court Clerk

Based on the type of civil case you have, you will send the complaint to the clerk at a specific court in your area. From there, a copy of the complaint is sent to the defendant, along with an official court notice of your plan to take legal action. The defendant is expected to provide an answer to the complaint in the form of a document outlining whether they believe any of the information is false and where the parties are in agreement. The defendant must also appear in court.

Wait for a Response

If the defendant agrees with the complaint and will take the appropriate actions, you’ll file a summary judgment motion. This means both parties agree, and you don’t need to proceed with the suit. Otherwise, before answering, the defendant might make a request to the court that the complaint be dismissed. This means they don’t believe they owe you anything. The court can weigh this information and decide to have the matter dropped or not. If the court says you can proceed with the civil suit, you’ll then work with your attorney to collect evidence, answer questions during depositions, and perform other tasks to reach the judgment. 

If you have a personal injury, property dispute, or additional matter you want to bring to civil court, contact J.P. Coleman Law, LLC, Attorneys at Law in Robertsdale, AL. Since starting the practice in 2012, the licensed attorneys have been providing Baldwin County residents with sound counsel to resolve their civil disputes. They’ll also work as your criminal defense team when needed. To schedule a consultation, call (251) 947-6247. Visit the attorneys online for an overview of their civil litigation services.