Filing a Lawsuit in Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Litigation Lawyers in Kalamazoo

If you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan and think that you might be the victim of a legal wrong, you may determine that it's worth suing over, to recover compensation from the individual 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 retain a seasoned attorney from Kalamazoo, Michigan before you proceed.

Your Kalamazoo, Michigan civil litigation attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a legitimate case, and, if so, your best avenues on how to proceed. The attorney will also discuss with you the fees for their services, and whether he or she can represent you on a contingency basis.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Kalamazoo, Michigan

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

Drafting The Complaint: Once you determine that pursuing a lawsuit in Kalamazoo, Michigan 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, or your lawyer, have drafted a complaint, the defendant must be served with it, so they have notice that they're being sued, and are given time to prepare a defense. Kalamazoo, Michigan has certain rules governing how a complaint must be served, for the service to be valid. Personal service (having someone give the documents directly to the defendant) is preferred. However, some courts will also accept service by mail in limited circumstances, or service upon an adult member of the defendant's household.

Await Defendant's Response: When you have served the defendant with the complaint in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the defendant has time to respond. The most frequent response is known as an "answer," in which they particularly address the factual allegations you've made against them, normally by denying most of the allegations. They might also move to dismiss the case if they can argue that the complaint is legally flawed. A judge then has to rule on this motion. If the defendant doesn't respond within a specific period of time, they are said to have "defaulted." This allows the court to enter a default judgment, in which the plaintiff essentially automatically wins the lawsuit. Once this happens, the defendant, if they're ever located, can be served with the judgment, and will have very little power to challenge the merits of your case.

How Can A Kalamazoo, Michigan Tort Lawyer Help?

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

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 Kalamazoo, Michigan attorney.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo is located in Kalamazoo County. Specifically it is located in the southwestern part of Michigan. It is home to approximately 326,589 people.

Some popular sites include the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Hickory Corners, Gilmore Car Museum, the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, the New Vic Theatre, Barn Theatre, the Gibson Guitar Corporation, and Wings Stadium.

Some of the top employers are the health care system and school district. Kalamazoo is also home to three local breweries and that employ many residents. With small businesses around, naturally the city is also home to attorneys there to provide legal support. Kalamazoo is home to many attorneys who work in law offices and firms that practice in many areas of law. Therefore, residents can remain rest assured, because any and every legal need of theirs can easily be taken care of.

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