If you’re ready to file a lawsuit, there are a number of steps you need to take before you ever walk into a courtroom. Whether you’re filing for divorce or lodging a personal injury complaint, it’s important to understand which paperwork you need to complete in order to begin.
Once you fill out your documents, a process server can help you deliver the documents to the correct recipients. It is their responsibility to read those documents and understand the content inside.
The Complaint
Sometimes referred to as the petition, the complaint is the first document filed in a lawsuit. It briefly describes your case against the defendant, identifies the parties involved, and outlines the legal basis for the court’s jurisdiction over the problem.
In addition, the complaint will state exactly what the plaintiff hopes to obtain from the defendant, like financial compensation, divorce, or child custody.
The Summons
The complaint is normally served with a summons, which is an order from the court in which the lawsuit will be litigated. A summons is a court document that states the names of the plaintiff and defendant, the title and file number of the case, the court and its address, the involved attorneys and their addresses, and instructions regarding the process and time frame for the defendant to file a response.
The summons is so important because it makes you aware that you are being brought to court for a specific purpose, and it also provides exact specifications about how and in what timeframe you need to respond to the papers. You will also be able to ascertain from the summons what consequences you will incur if you fail to respond in a timely manner.
If you have questions about the papers you need to complete and send, call Accurate Serve Jacksonville. Our team has served clients throughout Jacksonville, Florida, with superior process service since 2012.
