Civil Lawsuits & Trials FAQ

A Civil Summons is a legal document. If you receive a Civil Summons, it means that you have been sued in civil court. If you receive a Civil Summons, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Typically, for civil cases you will have 30 days to respond to a Civil Summons. If you receive a Civil Summons, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid a default judgment against you.

Small Claims Court handles a variety of cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $10,000.00. However, the maximum amount allowed in Small Claims varies between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00, depending on the county where the claim was, or will be, filed. District Court handles civil cases where the total amount claimed does not exceed $25,000.00. Superior Court handles civil cases where the total amount claimed exceeds $25,000.00.

After you file a lawsuit, a plethora of things happen. The other party will be given time to respond to your complaint. If they do not respond within a certain period, then you may seek a default judgment against them. If the other party does respond, then much of what happens next involves a series of motions and hearings until either settlement, dismissal, or trial. The ultimate result of your lawsuit depends on a multitude of factors.

Not, always! Often, a case will be settled before the parties go to trial. Why parties decide to settle can be for any number of reasons. However, settlement allows the parties to avoid the costly, and time consuming, ordeal that is trial. Other times a case will be dismissed. If your case has been settled, then that means you and the other party have agreed to a solution and the case is over.