Win Your Lawsuit : Sue in California Superior Court Without a Lawyer

Once upon a time in California, between Small Claims Court and Superior Court, there was a Municipal Court, where anyone could make a case without a lawyer. Althoug "Muni" is now a part of Superior Court, the old rules still apply and that's where Sue in California Without a Lawyer steps in. A plain English guide to court procedure, this book will show readers how to: sue for up to $25,000, defend themselves in a lawsuit, fill out the required court forms, understand court procedure, and make a competent case. This book can help every Californian take on any kind of case under $25,000, including breach of contracts, personal injuries, clashes between landlords and tenants, business disputes and more. Web Resources ......Page 0 Table of Contents......Page 9 Your Courtroom Companion......Page 15 1. Is This Book for You?......Page 17 Who Can Use This Book......Page 18 Lawsuits Covered in This Book......Page 19 Lawsuits This Book Does Not Cover......Page 24 When You Have a Choice: Small Claims Court......Page 26 The Pros and Cons of Representing Yourself......Page 27 The Course of a Typical Limited Jurisdiction Case......Page 31 Finding the Law, on Paper and Online......Page 32 General Instructions for Filling Out Your Forms......Page 33 2. Do You Have a Good Case?......Page 35 Is Your Case Fresh Enough?......Page 36 Evaluating the Evidence......Page 37 Preserve Your Evidence Now......Page 40 Can You Collect the Judgment If You Win?......Page 43 How Much Should You Sue For?......Page 44 3. Can’t We Settle Somehow?......Page 49 How Much Are You Willing to Settle For?......Page 50 Should You Use a Third Person to Help You Settle?......Page 51 Making a Settlement Offer......Page 53 Taking Care of the Details......Page 57 Should a Lawyer Review the Settlement Agreement?......Page 59 If You’re Worried About Getting Paid......Page 62 4. Deciding Where and Whom to Sue......Page 63 Selecting the Plaintiff(s)......Page 64 Selecting the Defendant(s)......Page 65 Making Sure You Can Sue in California......Page 77 Selecting the Right Court......Page 79 5. Preparing the Complaint......Page 83 Beginning Your Tort or Contract Complaint......Page 84 Tort Complaints: Personal Injury, Property Damage, and Wrongful Death......Page 87 Contract Complaints......Page 106 Complaints for Other Types of Lawsuits......Page 122 Preparing the Summons and Cover Sheet......Page 124 Preparing a Case Questionnaire......Page 126 Requesting a Waiver of the Filing Fee......Page 127 Preparing an Attachment......Page 131 6. Filing the Papers......Page 133 Photocopy Your Documents......Page 134 Filing the Papers......Page 135 7. Serving the Papers on the Defendants......Page 139 Serve Your Papers by Mail......Page 140 Serving the Summons and Complaint......Page 142 Completing the Proof of Service......Page 144 Serving Other Papers as the Case Proceeds......Page 148 8. Lawsuits from the Defendant’s Point of View......Page 149 Initial Steps......Page 150 Decide Whether to Represent Yourself......Page 156 Ask for More Time......Page 157 Prepare an Answer......Page 158 Prepare a Cross­Complaint......Page 174 What Happens Next?......Page 178 9. If Defendant Doesn’t Respond......Page 181 Taking the Defendant’s Default......Page 182 Applying for a Judgment......Page 188 Court Hearings on Your Default......Page 194 Setting Aside a Default Judgment......Page 195 10. Discovery......Page 199 Types of Discovery......Page 200 Discovery Rules and Limits......Page 201 Doing Your Own Discovery......Page 202 Responding to Discovery......Page 207 Less­Used Methods of Discovery......Page 212 Failing to Respond to a Discovery or Case Questionnaire Request......Page 213 Discovering Doe Defendants......Page 217 11. The Opposition Gets Nasty: Summary Judgment and Other Motions......Page 219 Motion for Summary Judgment......Page 220 Motion for Summary Adjudication of Issues......Page 231 Other Motions: Demurrers, Motions to Quash, and Motions to Strike......Page 232 Demand for Bill of Particulars......Page 233 12. Moving Your Case to Arbitration and Trial......Page 235 Meeting With Your Opponent......Page 236 Completing the Case Management Statement......Page 237 Arbitration or Mediation?......Page 241 Preparing for the Arbitration Hearing......Page 242 Attending the Arbitration Hearing......Page 245 The Arbitration Decision......Page 246 13. Preparing for a Trial or Arbitration......Page 249 A Short Course in the Rules of Evidence......Page 250 Using Written Declarations......Page 253 Having Witnesses Attend a Trial or Arbitration Hearing......Page 260 Making a Chart of Your Evidence......Page 266 Drafting Questions to Ask Your Witnesses......Page 267 Attending a Settlement Conference......Page 268 14. Trial Before a Judge......Page 271 Sizing Up the Judge......Page 272 Rules of Courtroom Etiquette......Page 275 Plaintiff’s Case......Page 276 Plaintiff’s Rebuttal......Page 280 Closing Arguments......Page 281 Judgment......Page 282 15. Trial Before a Jury......Page 283 Jury Selection......Page 284 Challenging Jurors......Page 286 Preparing Jury Instructions......Page 287 The Trial......Page 288 Jury Deliberations......Page 289 16. After the Trial......Page 291 Requesting a New Trial......Page 292 Appealing the Judgment......Page 293 17. Finding a Good Lawyer......Page 295 Your Choices......Page 296 Checking Out the Lawyer......Page 298 Appendix. Tear-Out Forms......Page 299 Request for Dismissal......Page 301 Blank Pleading Paper......Page 305 Attachment to Judicial Council Form......Page 307 Complaint—Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death......Page 309 Cause of Action—Motor Vehicle......Page 315 Cause of Action—Premises Liability......Page 317 Cause of Action—General Negligence......Page 319 Cause of Action—Intentional Tort......Page 321 Exemplary Damages Attachment......Page 323 Complaint—Contract......Page 325 Cause of Action—Breach of Contract......Page 329 Cause of Action—Breach of Warranty (Merchantability)......Page 331 Cause of Action—Breach of Warranty (Fitness)......Page 335 Civil Case Cover Sheet......Page 339 Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum and Statement of Location......Page 343 Case Questionnaire—For Limited Civil Cases (Under $25,000)......Page 351 Request to Waive of Court Fees......Page 359 Summons......Page 363 Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipt—Civil......Page 365 Proof of Service by First-Class Mail—Civil......Page 367 Application and Order for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem—Civil......Page 371 Proof of Service of Summons......Page 375 Answer—Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death......Page 379 Answer—Contract......Page 383 General Denial......Page 387 Cross-Complaint—Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death......Page 391 Request for Entry of Default......Page 397 Judgment......Page 401 Declaration......Page 405 Attached Declaration......Page 407 Form Interrogatories—Limited Civil Cases (Economic Litigation)......Page 409 Requests for Admission......Page 417 Amendment to Complaint (Fictitious/Incorrect Name)......Page 419 Case Management Statement......Page 421 Request for Statement of Witnesses and Evidence......Page 429 Civil Subpoena for Personal Appearance at Trial or Hearing......Page 431 Request for Trial De Novo After Judicial Arbitration......Page 435 Civil Subpoena (Duces Tecum)......Page 439 Index......Page 445 Related Products......Page 461

represent Yourself In California Superior Court For A Case Worth Up To $25,000!

some Cases Are Too Big For Small Claims Court And Too Small To Interest A Lawyer. But Win Your Lawsuit Takes You Step By Step Through The Entire Process Of A Limited Jurisdiction Case In California Superior Court.

take On Common Types Of Civil Court Cases Worth Up To $25,000, Including:

contract Disputes

personal Injuries

property Damage Cases

business Disputes

whether You're Bringing The Suit Or Defending Against One, This Plain-english Legal Guide Shows You How To Prepare A Complaint, File And Serve Papers, Participate In Settlement Negotiations, Present A Case And Much More. The 4th Edition Is Completely Updated And Provides All The Forms You Need.

written By Roderic Duncan, A Retired California Superior Court Judge, This Book Includes The Legal Insight And Practical Tips That Only A Judge With Over 25 Years Of Experience Can Provide.

Represent yourself in California Superior Court for a case worth up to $25,000! Some cases are too big for small claims court and too small to interest a lawyer. But Win Your Lawsuit takes you step by step through the entire process of a limited jurisdiction case in California Superior Court. Take on common types of civil court cases worth up to $25,000, including: contract disputes personal injuries v property damage cases business disputes Whether you're bringing the suit or defending against one, this plain-English legal guide shows you how to prepare a complaint, file and serve papers, participate in settlement negotiations, present a case and much more. The 4th edition is completely updated and provides all the forms you need. Written by Roderic Duncan, a retired California Superior Court judge, this book includes the legal insight and practical tips that only a judge with over 25 years of experience can provide. Is this book for you? Do you have a good case? Can't we settle this somehow? Deciding where and whom to sue Preparing the complaint Filing the papers Serving the papers on the defendants Lawsuits from the defendant's point of view If the defendant doesn't respond Discovery The opposition gets nasty : summary judgment and other motions Moving your case to arbitration and trial Preparing for a trial or arbitration Trial before a judge Trial before a jury After the trial Finding a good lawyer. "Many lawsuits involve too much money for Small Claims Court, but the participants cannot afford an attorney. This book shows how to prepare and try a case in Califorina Superior Court. This edition has been completely updated and reflects current court procedures and all forms are explained in detail"--Provided by publisher. "Many lawsuits involve too much money for Small Claims Court, but the participants cannot afford an attorney. This book shows how to prepare and try a case in California Superior Court. This edition has been completely updated and reflects current court procedures and all forms are explained in detail"--Provided by publisher