Filing a Lawsuit in Elk Grove, California

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Litigation Lawyers in Elk Grove

If you live in , California, 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 you may want to file a lawsuit, you should not make this decision easily, and there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account. Obviously, you should never go into a lawsuit without at least consulting a qualified Elk Grove, California civil litigation attorney.

The Elk Grove, California attorney you end up hiring 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 Elk Grove, California

Consultation with your attorney: Before you proceed with any legal action in Elk Grove, California, you should seek the advice and counsel of a reputable Elk Grove, California attorney. He or she will be indispensable in helping you succeed in your lawsuit.

Drafting The Complaint: In Elk Grove, California, the initial step to filing a lawsuit, once you've actually decided to do so (in consultation with your attorney), is writing a complaint. A complaint is simply a list of facts that you allege against the defendant. A court must look at these allegations and decide if they add up to a legitimate cause of action, assuming they're true. If they do not add up to a cause of action, the case may be dismissed. The complaint also usually ask the court to provide specific relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving The Defendant: Once you and your attorney have written a good complaint, and filed it with the court, it needs to be served on the defendant within a certain period of time. This is necessary under the law of Elk Grove, California to ensure that the defendant actually knows that he's being sued, and has time to find a lawyer and prepare a defense. Generally, the defendant should be served in person. However, when this isn't possible, service by mail is also acceptable in a few instances.

Await Defendant's Response: In Elk Grove, California, 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 Elk Grove, California Tort Lawyer Help?

Filing a lawsuit in an Elk Grove, California court is a bit more complicated than the basic outline laid out above.

Thus, it is imperative that you consult a qualified civil litigation attorney before you file any type of lawsuit in Elk Grove, California.

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Life in Elk Grove

Elk Grove, California is a city in Sacramento County, located just south of Sacramento, the state capital. It currently has a population of about 153,000 people.

Elk Grove was founded in 1850, as a stage coach stop, around which the town initially developed.

Modernly, Elk Grove is generally considered a bedroom community of Sacramento. This means that it is mostly residential, with its residents commuting to Sacramento for their jobs. Because it is the capital of the largest state in the country, many state employees, in a wide range of industries, work in Sacramento, but live in Elk Grove. The State of California employs a large number of Elk Grove, California attorneys, who perform a wide variety of functions.

Of course, many Elk Grove attorneys also work in private practice. So, the residents of Elk Grove, California who need a lawyer will almost certainly be able to find a capable attorney who has experience in the relevant area of law.

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