Filing a Lawsuit in Westland, Michigan

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Litigation Lawyers in Westland

If you live in Westland, Michigan 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 are contemplating filing a lawsuit, you should know that there are many factors that need to be considered before doing so. You should definitely hire a good attorney from Westland, Michigan before you proceed.

Once you hire a Westland, Michigan litigation attorney, he or she will be able to advise you on your chances of succeeding in your lawsuit. Furthermore, 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 Westland, Michigan

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

Drafting the complaint: In Westland, Michigan, once you have decided to file a lawsuit, the first thing you usually have to do is draft a complaint. The complaint is a document that contains all of the allegations you're making against the defendant (the person whom you are suing). It usually must allege all of the facts necessary to constitute a cause of action, though in some systems, very few facts are strictly required to be alleged. It also typically has, at the end, a "prayer" (request) for relief. This final section tells the court what type of relief the plaintiff wants, should the court 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. Westland, Michigan requires that lawsuits be served on defendants in a certain 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 strongly preferred to serve defendants in person (with a disinterested third party delivering the papers to the defendant). Sometimes, 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 Westland, Michigan, the law gives civil defendants a fairly long period of time (a month or two usually) to respond to a lawsuit against them. The most common response is either an answer (where they address the factual allegations against them, usually 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 usually 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 Westland, Michigan Tort Lawyer Help?

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

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

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Life in Westland

Westland, Michigan is located in Wayne County just about 16 miles away from the city of Detroit. It has a budding population of over 86,000 residents. The city had its humble beginnings in the 18th century as a prime location for mill industries.

Currently, Westland is an ideal location for persons seeking employment and residential opportunities. Its location near Detroit makes it an excellent place for commuters to live and engage in retail and commercial activity. For example, the Westland Shopping Center is located in the city. The Shopping Center has over 100 stores that shoppers can choose from. As an "All-American City", Westland also has an abundance of recreational and dining opportunities throughout the city.

Westland is presently invested in preserving its historical roots. Recently in 2009 the city received a grant through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The grant was in the amount of over million and will be used for restoring historic districts.

Many Westland, Michigan lawyers belong to several bar associations, including the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. Membership in multiple bars allows lawyers in Westland to serve their community with a more thorough legal perspective. Most Westland claims are heard in the 18th District Court of Michigan, which was recently renovated to promote more efficient court operations.

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