Filing a Lawsuit in Dover, Delaware

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Litigation Lawyers in Dover

If you live in , Delaware, and believe that you have sustained some form of legal wrong, you may wish to file a lawsuit against the individual who allegedly wronged you.

If you think that filing a lawsuit is a good choice in seeking redress, you should not rush into this decision. A lawsuit is a time-consuming and costly process. You should not make a final decision without talking to a Dover, Delaware attorney.

The Dover, Delaware attorney you end up contacting will be able to advise you on whether you have a good case. If you do, they will further advise you on your best options on how to proceed. Your lawyer can also inform you about what their fees are, and if they have multiple payment options.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Dover, Delaware

Consultation With Your Attorney: Before filing any case in Dover, Delaware, you should talk with a local attorney. Your Dover, Delaware attorney will be able to advise you on the merits of your lawsuit, and your chances of success.

Drafting The Complaint: Once you determine that pursuing a lawsuit in Dover, Delaware civil court is worth your time and effort, you need to file a complaint. The complaint can set the tone, and frame the issues, for the rest of the litigation procedure, which can drag on for months, or even years (and decades, in some cases). This is because the complaint lays out all the allegations against the defendant. It also normally asks the court for particular relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving The Defendant: Once you have drafted your complaint, you need to serve the defendant with it, and file it with the court. Dover, Delaware requires that lawsuits be served on defendants in a particular way. This is to ensure that the defendant has a good deal of notice that they're being sued, giving them time to find an attorney, and work on how they're going to defend themselves. It is highly preferred to serve defendants in person (with a disinterested third party delivering the papers to the defendant). Occasionally, however, the defendant cannot be found, or is trying to avoid service, they can be served by mail with court approval.

Await Defendant's Response: In Dover, Delaware, the law gives civil defendants a fairly long period of time (a month or two normally) to respond to a lawsuit against them. The most frequent response is either an answer (where they address the factual allegations against them, normally denying most or all of the allegations) or a motion to dismiss (where the contend that, even if everything alleged in the complaint is true, those facts would not establish liability). If the defendant does nothing, and fails to respond, they run the risk of having a default judgment entered against them. This normally means that the court automatically rules against them, treating the plaintiff as if they won the lawsuit. This gives the plaintiff a judgment against the defendant, which they can seek to collect using all legal means.

How Can A Dover, Delaware Tort Lawyer Help?

As you can see, it can be a complex and difficult process to file a lawsuit in Dover, Delaware, and it is, in fact, much more complex than the basic outline you just read.

You should seek the advice of a reliable litigation attorney if you are planning on filing a lawsuit against somebody who you think has wronged you in Dover, Delaware.

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Life in Dover

Dover, Delaware is the capital of Delaware, and its second-largest city. It has a population of about 36,000 people.

Dover, Delaware was founded in 1683 by British colonists. Dover is perhaps best known as being the home of Caesar Rodney, a popular lawyer and wartime leader during the American Revolution. The city was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad, even though the population of Dover was sharply divided on the issue of slavery. Many Dover, Delaware lawyers helped runaway slaves once they arrived.

Modernly, Dover's economy is fairly diverse. The largest employer in Dover, as well as in the entire state of Delaware, is the state government. The vast majority of the state's administrative functions are located in and around Dover. Another major employer is the Dover Air Force Base. This federal presence, along with the state government, employs many Dover, Delaware lawyers.

Residents of Dover, Delaware who need legal advice should have little trouble finding a good Dover, Delaware attorney.

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