Filing a Lawsuit in Modesto, California

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Litigation Lawyers in Modesto

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 knowledgeable Modesto, California civil litigation attorney.

Once you have retained an attorney in Modesto, California, he or she will be able to help you devise a strategy on how to proceed, which will hopefully maximize your chances of success in your lawsuit. Your lawyer can also provide you a rough idea of how much the lawsuit is likely to cost, taking into account court fees, expert witness fees, and other costs.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Modesto, California

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

Drafting the complaint: In Modesto, California, once you have decided to file a lawsuit, the initial thing you typically 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 typically 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 normally 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: When you have determined that you want to file a lawsuit in Modesto, California, and have drafted the complaint, your next important step is to file the complaint with the court, and serve it on the defendant. The defendant must be given at least several weeks' notice that they're being sued, and as much time to review the complaint. This is a matter of general fairness and due process, and allows the defendant to hire a lawyer and get to work on a defense. The law requires that the defendant be served in a few particular ways. The initial choice is to give it to them in person. This has to be done by a person who does not have any direct involvement in the lawsuit. If that isn't possible, the defendant can be served by giving the complaint to another adult member of their household; this is called substituted service.

Awaiting the Defendant's Response: Once a lawsuit has been filed, and the defendant has been served in Modesto, California, the defendant has time to respond. They typically 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 viewed as if the defendant admitted them, and you only need to establish that you've suffered losses that warrant the damages you're asking for.

How Can A Modesto, California Tort Lawyer Help?

The basic outline above does not come close to covering all the specifics involved in filing a lawsuit in Modesto, California.

Therefore, it's always a good idea to talk with a Modesto, California litigation attorney if you are contemplating filing a lawsuit against a person or company.

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Life in Modesto

Modesto is a city in Stanislaus County, California. As of 2009, it has a population 211,000, making it the 17th most populous city in California.

Modesto was founded in 1870, as a stop along the new railroad that connected Los Angeles and Sacramento. Modesto's economy is based almost entirely around agriculture, and the other industries that support the agricultural industry. During World War II, Modesto, California was a major source of food for the war effort.

Unfortunately, Modesto is burdened with a high crime rate, and a struggling economy with chronic unemployment well above the national average. However, Forbes Magazine has ranked it fairly highly in its "best bang for your buck" ratings, suggesting that Modesto's real estate market is an excellent destination for bargain-hunters. During the 2000s, the downtown area of Modesto was revitalized and modernized, with significant additions made to the Gallo Center for The Arts, as well as many other improvements.

If you live in Modesto, California and need an attorney, you're in luck. Modesto, California lawyers can handle just about any type of legal problem they're presented with.

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