Did you know that the law firm industry is worth almost $400 billion in the United States?
While it’s always exciting to hear about massive cases that have millions of dollars at stake, many lawsuits are mild enough to go to small claims court. If you’ve been wronged and want justice, then you might want to create a small claims case.
There are plenty of small claims court errors that people make that end up sabotaging their success. Keep reading to learn about five common mistakes that you need to avoid.
1. Think About Alternatives to Filing a Lawsuit
Not many people aware that there are all kinds of small claims expenses that they need to consider. Oftentimes it’s a lot cheaper and faster to consider other options like mediation instead of bringing this matter to the court’s attention.
If you feel like the other party can’t be reasoned with, then you may have no other choice but to go to small claims court.
2. Not Considering Small Claims Court Preparation
Evidence is one of the most important factors that will allow you to win your small claims court case. You need to take the time to ensure that you have all of your evidence organized so that you can present your case in a thoughtful manner.
Going to a small claims court unprepared will give the opposing party a big advantage since they’ll have their defense ready.
3. Not Having the Necessary Small Claims Case Documents
You should always print out all of your evidence and any other helpful information. It’s wise to bring around three copies of everything in case anyone else needs to see it.
Remember that it’s always better to have too much than not enough. You lived through your experiences, but the judge will be jumping into the situation blind. These documents are imperative to win.
4. Not Knowing Courtroom Etiquette
Courtrooms are a formal place, so you need to show up in a nice outfit to look professional. You need to be polite and never speak out of turn.
The judge should tell you when you can talk, but you can always politely ask, “Your Honor, may I please speak?”
5. Not Consulting a Lawyer First
Even though some issues seem clear-cut, handling a case on your own could lead to trouble. It’s best to at least consult a lawyer to get their advice on how to proceed if you don’t want to hire them to represent you.
For example, if you want to know how to sue Southwest Airlines, you’ll need all of the advantages you can get from legal counseling.
You Don’t Want to Make Any of These Small Claims Court Errors
There are all kinds of common small claims court errors that cause people to lose their case. Reading this guide will help you avoid these pitfalls.
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