Filing a Lawsuit in Joliet, Illinois

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Litigation Lawyers in Joliet

If you live in Joliet, Illinois and think that you might be the victim of a legal wrong, you may decide that it's worth suing over, to recover compensation from the person who wronged you.

If you wish to file a lawsuit, there are many things you need to consider, and the decision to sue someone should not be made without the counsel of a Joliet, Illinois civil litigation attorney.

Once you retain a Joliet, Illinois litigation attorney, he or she will be able to advise you on your chances of succeeding in your lawsuit. Additionally, your lawyer can inform you on what a lawsuit is likely to cost, both in time and money. Obviously, your lawyer has some control over what it will cost you, based on their fees, and whether they bill an hourly rate, or charge on a contingency rate.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Joliet, Illinois

Consultation with your attorney: Before you file a lawsuit in a Joliet, Illinois court, you need to meet and confer with a local lawyer. You lawyer in Joliet, Illinois can advise you on whether or not your lawsuit has merit, and how likely it is to succeed.

Drafting The Complaint: Once you decide that pursuing a lawsuit in Joliet, Illinois 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 process, 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 specific relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving The Defendant: After you draft your complaint, and file it with the court, you have to let the defendant know that they're being sued. The law of Joliet, Illinois requires that the defendant be given advance notice of the lawsuit as a matter of basic fairness: if you were being sued, you'd want to be given time to find a lawyer and prepare your defense strategy, right? So, with that in mind, the law prefers that defendants be served personally, typically through the use of a paid process server.

Awaiting the Defendant's Response: Once a lawsuit has been filed, and the defendant has been served in Joliet, Illinois, the defendant has time to respond. They normally do so by drafting an answer to the complaint, in which they deny the plaintiff's allegations, or assert a legal defense. If the defendant fails to respond within a set period of time, they will be in default, and you may be able to get a "default judgment" against them, in which all of your allegations against the defendant are treated as if the defendant admitted them, and you only need to show that you've suffered losses that warrant the damages you're asking for.

How Can A Joliet, Illinois Tort Lawyer Help?

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

If you have suffered a legal wrong in and decide to sue the person who you believed wronged you, you should talk with a qualified Joliet, Illinois attorney.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Joliet

Joliet, Illinois is the fastest growing city in the state. It is the seat of Will County and was incorporated as early as 1852. Joliet is nicknamed "The City of Champions" on account of the many national and state titles won by local school bands and sports teams. It is also nicknamed "The City of Steel" as well as the "City of Stone", reflecting its historical background in those industries.

Currently the city of Joliet, Illinois has attracted large numbers of new residents seeking to work and live in the area. Family entertainment in Joliet is abundant, consisting of several golf courses, bike trails, and old-style movie theaters. The city also has several landmarks that often appear in the setting of major motion picture films, such as the Rialto Square Theater.

Every year Joliet enjoys a large influx of visitors who come to the city to watch NASCAR automobile races and to participate in high-end motorsports events. These are hosted at places like the Chicagoland Speedway and the Autobahn Country Club.

Joliet, Illinois has quickly become an important hub for commerce and residential living. Lawyers in Joliet are available to assist in many different areas of law. Joliet, Illinois lawyers hone their professional skills through state and county bar associations.

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