A lawsuit is a legal proceeding in which a plaintiff seeks to remedy an alleged legal wrong. The plaintiffs file a lawsuit against the defendants, and the action is filed in a court of law with jurisdiction over the parties and controversy. The court has the power to resolve the dispute and issue interim orders or judgments binding on all parties. Although a lawsuit is often intimidating, it is possible to win a lawsuit with the right strategies and the proper documents.

During the litigation process, many steps must be completed. The plaintiff files the initial complaint with the clerk of court and pays a filing fee. Sometimes, plaintiffs hire process servers to serve the paperwork. Once the lawsuit is filed, the defendant has 30 days to respond or file counterclaims. The plaintiff then begins the discovery process and can get on the trial calendar. After the initial filing, the plaintiff then responds to the defendant’s answers. If the defendant’s answer is unsatisfactory, the plaintiff will file a motion to dismiss the case.

Once a person decides to file a lawsuit, they may need assistance to get started. Filing a lawsuit is not a simple process, and even the simplest decisions such as where to file a lawsuit can be confusing. To assist you, FindLaw’s section on How to Sue provides helpful information on the process from start to finish. It also offers tips and advice on writing a demand letter and keeping track of the lawsuit’s progress.