What Should I Do When I’ve Been Sued?
Being served with a lawsuit summons can be surprising and distressing, however, it is vital that you act as quickly as you can to ensure that you are not in violation of any court deadlines and the process goes as smoothly as possible. Below are five things to know when being sued.
- Hire a lawyer
The first action you need to take is hiring a lawyer if you don’t already have one. A lawyer will have the expertise necessary to guide you through the court process, something that would be very difficult to do on your own.
- Confirm deadlines
Your lawyer will let you know what deadlines you are working with in your case. Usually, a lawsuit needs to be filed in a matter of days. This timeframe will differ depending on the case and location.
- Gather information
It is important to make sure any relevant information is accessible by you and by the court. Go into your records, correspondence, call logs, mail, and emails to make sure you have picked out anything that may relate to the suit.
- Consider your options
Going to court is not the only possible outcome when served with a lawsuit. You may be able to settle the case through mediation or arbitration if the other party is also willing to do so. You can also file a counterclaim if you have a case against the party suing you. You must act quickly to take advantage of these options
- Maintain Discretion
It is important to be careful with what you say about your lawsuit, in public and with individuals who may not be trustworthy. Any information getting out about the case may have a negative effect on your case. Your lawyer and your spouse are protected by law so they should remain the only people with whom you discuss your case in any depth.
