This page describes in detail the Pleadings phase of litigation in your case. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional inquiries.
Timeline For Pleadings
The Pleadings phase can take as long as approximately 2-6 months. However, many times, the discovery phase is interrupted by the parties’ desire to attend mediation and settle the lawsuit. For more information about the mediation phase, please click here.
Pleadings
he pleadings phase of a case occurs after the complaint is filed and generally prior to discovery beginning. Upon a complaint being filed and served, all of the defendants must respond to the lawsuit complaint within thirty (30) days of being served by filing a “responsive pleading.” Typically, defendants will file an “Answer” to the lawsuit. The Answer will assert all of their defenses to the lawsuit that they intend to assert during litigation and ultimately in a trial.
However, there are multiple other types of responsive pleadings that a defendant can file rather than an Answer or prior to filing an Answer, such as a demurrer, a motion to quash, a cross-complaint, a removal to federal court, among others. These responsive pleadings generally relate to the defendant asserting a procedural deficiency with plaintiff’s lawsuit complaint, a request to change the jurisdictions from state to federal court based on certain factors, or a desire to include other parties into the lawsuit. When the defendant files a responsive pleading other than an Answer, it can and generally does result in law & motion whereby the parties each draft briefs on the issues advocating for their position, argue their points in court and ultimately the judge will render a decision. There are times where the parties will agree to one a change requested by one of the parties through a “stipulation.”
For more detailed updates, please contact James Reid with our Law Firm at the below information:
- To Text or Call: (323) 686-2096
- To Email: james@crosnerlegal.com
Lastly, it is imperative that you keep us informed if you change your contact information, including either phone number, email address or residence address. You will receive a text message and email from us every 60-90 days reminding you to provide us with any changes to this information. Please fill out the form in the text and/or email we send if you change your contact information. In the alternative, you may text or call at the above contact information to provide your updated contact information.