Whether you receive a notice of a hearing from a criminal court or a summons and complaint because of a lawsuit against you, being served legal papers can seem intimidating. However, with quality legal services on your side, you can respond in an appropriate manner that will help ensure a positive outcome. Here are some crucial first steps you should take after getting served.

What to Do After Getting Served

1. Review the Entire Document

You can get served as an individual or as part of your company or another organization. Accusations can range from negligence to deliberate and malicious intent. You must review the documents to understand what you’re being charged with and what the plaintiff hopes to gain.

2. File for a Time Extension

Getting served can come as a complete surprise. However, the plaintiff has already done their research and assembled a case. To give yourself time to review everything and start planning your defense, file a motion for a time extension. This will typically give you an extra 30 days to prepare for your court appearance. Work with a reputable legal services team to ensure your motion is filed correctly.

3. Hire an Attorney

Regardless of why you’ve been served, going to court can be complicated to navigate without professional help. Find an experienced defense attorney to help you build a case against the charges or negotiate a settlement as soon as possible. Act fast so that you don’t lose the right to defend yourself. Your attorney may also help you file a counterclaim.

If you need legal services, contact the skilled team at AAA Legal Process, Inc., in Honolulu, HI. You can trust their reliable process servers with everything from document retrieval to the preparation and filing of documents that are related to your case. View their full list of services online, or call (844) 737-8344 to schedule an appointment.