The Legal System - Law Firm Wasserman, Comden & Casselman, LLP Attorneys Tarzana, California

NAVIGATING THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Those of us who deal with the judicial system on a daily basis often forget how complicated and difficult the system may appear to those being exposed to the courts for the first time. In order to provide you with a better understanding of the judicial system, we have authored the following explanation of how a lawsuit develops from beginning to end. Read through the page or use the navigation links to go straight to a section.

COMMENCING THE PROCEEDINGS
WHAT TYPE OF A RESPONSE WILL BE FILED?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE DEFENDANT ANSWERS THE COMPLAINT?
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DEFENDANT DOES NOT ANSWER OR OTHERWISE RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT?
AFTER I REQUEST A TRIAL DATE, WILL I GO TO TRIAL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ANSWER IS FILED BUT BEFORE THE CASE FINALLY GOES TO TRIAL?
IS THERE A WAY TO AVOID OR REDUCE THE LONG TIME PERIOD BETWEEN FILING A COMPLAINT AND GOING TO TRIAL?
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY CASE?

GENERAL LEGAL QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEED IN LIEU AND A SHORT SALE?
I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY? THEY TALK IN TERMS OF A NUMBER SUCH AS 7, 11, 13. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HOLD PROPERTY AS A "JOINT TENANT?"
IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE RECEIVING MORE AND MORE BAD CHECKS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS. WHILE WE HATE TO HAVE TO GO TO SUCH EXTREMES, I HEARD THERE WAS A LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SUE OUR CUSTOMERS TO RECOVER ON THESE CHECKS. IS THERE SUCH A LAW?