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Merritt Law, P.A.
Center Gate Office Park
5550 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 3
Sarasota, Florida 34233
941.953.4140
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What is involved in a lawsuit?
Individuals often have several questions about the steps involved in a lawsuit. For that reason, a brief overview of a very simple lawsuit is provided below. The course of any lawsuit will vary widely from case to case, because the lawsuit is dependent upon many things, including without limitation, the client, opposing party and its legal counsel, facts and applicable law. A lawsuit can be and usually is a time consuming endeavor. The lawsuit belongs to the client and not the lawyer. Without the client's constant involvement and commitment, the lawsuit will drag on. If a plaintiff chooses not to aggressively pursue the lawsuit for the purpose of saving money or in the hopes of settlement or is otherwise not committed to its resolution, the lawsuit will reflect the client's lack of commitment.
The following overview is provided for your information only and for no other purpose. It is not intended to be the basis for a legal engagement or intended to apply to the specific matter that you are involved in or are considering instituting. All issues in a lawsuit must be discussed with the lawyer representing you.
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- Plaintiff drafts and files a Complaint
- Serve the defendant with the Complaint
- Defendant files an Answer (or Motion)
- Motions may be filed at any time throughout the Lawsuit
- Discovery (interrogatories, production requests, etc.) is propounded by each side
- Responses to the Discovery are provided
- Depositions of parties and non-parties taken
- Alternate Dispute Resolution, (e.g., non-binding mediation) typically attempted
- Notice the Lawsuit for Trial
- Trial
- Appeal of trial result by either plaintiff or defendant (this is not mandatory)
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