Lawyers For Civil Disputes

Civil Lawsuits In Illinois

There are a wide variety of issues that may need to be addressed through civil litigation. For instance, if you did not receive payment after you rented a piece of equipment to a colleague, you may need to take legal action to recover the amount owed. If your neighbor claims that you damaged their property, they may file a lawsuit asking for you to provide them with compensation for the repairs. Businesses may also need to address matters such as breach of contract through litigation, or an employee may take legal action to collect pay from an employer who did not properly compensate them for the hours they worked. These are just a few examples, and civil litigation may be used in nearly any situation in which one party wishes to collect money from someone else. A civil lawsuit may involve some or all of the following steps:

• Demand letter – The plaintiff usually begins the process of civil litigation by sending a demand letter to the defendant specifying the amount owed and the reasons why payment should be made. This letter will give a date after which a lawsuit will be filed if payment is not received.
• Complaint – The plaintiff will file the lawsuit in the circuit court of the county where the defendant lives or where the transaction between the parties occurred. If the amount owed is $10,000 or less, the case will be filed in small claims court.
• Summons and response – The defendant will be served with a notice of the lawsuit and a copy of the complaint. After receiving the summons, the defendant will have 30 days to file an appearance with the court, and they may also be required to file an answer that either admits or denies each of the plaintiff’s allegations. Failure to file an appearance may result in a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
• Discovery – Before the beginning of the trial, both the plaintiff and the defendant can gather information from the other party. They may use methods such as interrogatories, depositions, requests to produce documents, or requests to admit certain facts.
• Trial – Each party will present their case before a judge, or, in some cases, a jury. The parties may submit evidence such as contracts or financial documents. They may also call witnesses who may be examined by both parties. After all arguments have been heard, the judge or jury will make a decision. If the judge or jury rules in favor of the plaintiff, the decision will specify the amount owed to the plaintiff by the defendant.
• Enforcement – After winning a case, a plaintiff may use different methods to collect compensation owed, such as seizing funds in the defendant’s bank account, garnishing the defendant’s wages, or placing a lien on the defendant’s property.

How long does it take for a lawyer to file a lawsuit?

A lawsuit can be filed as quickly as a complaint can be prepared and submitted to the court. However, an attorney will likely want to gather information about the case to ensure that all aspects of the legal dispute are considered, and this process may take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case. In addition, an attorney will typically first send a demand letter to the defendant giving them notice of the impending lawsuit and allowing them a certain amount of time to settle the matter before the lawsuit is filed.

How long does a civil lawsuit take?

A lawsuit will often take around one year to 18 months from the time the complaint is filed to when a trial is held, although this time frame may be shorter for cases heard in small claims court. This time frame includes the amount of time provided to the defendant to respond to the complaint, as well as the time needed for the parties to conduct discovery, depositions, or other methods of uncovering relevant information. The date of a trial may also be based on the court’s schedule and capacity for hearing new cases.

Do I need an attorney for a civil lawsuit?

While it is possible to pursue a lawsuit without being represented by an attorney, it is not recommended. By working with an attorney, you can ensure that the correct legal procedures are followed when preparing and filing a complaint or response, conducting discovery, negotiating a settlement, and litigating matters in the courtroom. A lawyer can explain how the laws apply to a specific situation, determine the correct amount of damages to pursue, and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

What is a tort?

“Tort” is the legal term for damages caused by one party to another party. In civil lawsuits involving the recovery of money, these damages are of a financial nature, and they may include any actions that resulted in financial harm to one party. Civil lawsuits known as tort actions may address issues such as debt default, breach of contract, breach of warranty, fraud, deceptive business practices, intellectual property violations, or defamation.

What alternatives are there to litigation?

Taking a case to trial does not guarantee a satisfactory result, so parties may wish to use other methods to reach a settlement. In some cases, they may be able to negotiate an agreement, and this may be done at any time before the trial begins. Mediation, in which a neutral mediator works with the parties to help them reach a mutually agreeable settlement, can also be beneficial. Arbitration is another solution, and in these cases, a less-formal procedure similar to a trial may be followed, and an arbitrator will make a decision about the outcome of the case.

Contact Our Downers Grove Civil Litigation Lawyers

Whether you want to recover money owed to you or need to defend against a civil lawsuit, the Downers Grove civil litigation attorneys of SBK Law Group can provide the legal help you need. To learn more about how we can help with your case, contact our office online or at 630-427-4407. We represent clients throughout DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Will County, and Cook County.