The Legal System

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.

  1. COMMENCING THE PROCEEDINGS

  2. WHAT TYPE OF A RESPONSE WILL BE FILED?

  3. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE DEFENDANT ANSWERS THE COMPLAINT?

  4. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DEFENDANT DOES NOT ANSWER OR OTHERWISE RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT?

  5. AFTER I REQUEST A TRIAL DATE, WILL I GO TO TRIAL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS?

  6. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ANSWER IS FILED BUT BEFORE THE CASE FINALLY GOES TO TRIAL?

  7. IS THERE A WAY TO AVOID OR REDUCE THE LONG TIME PERIOD BETWEEN FILING A COMPLAINT AND GOING TO TRIAL?

  8. HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY CASE?

GENERAL LEGAL QUESTIONS

  1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEED IN LIEU AND A SHORT SALE?

  2. 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?

  3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HOLD PROPERTY AS A "JOINT TENANT?"

  4. 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?

Is holding Property as a "Joint Tenant" right for you?"

Los Angeles Office
5567 Reseda Boulevard
Suite 330
P.O. Box 7033
Tarzana, California 91357

Phone: (818) 705 - 6800

Alhambra Office
801 S. Garfield Avenue
Suite 328
Alhambra, California 91801

Phone: (626) 308 - 9882

Ventura Office
353 San Jon Rd
Second Floor
Ventura, CA 93001-3250

Phone: (805) 988 - 0285
Fax: (805) 653 - 6065

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