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What Should I Do If I Have Been Served With a Civil Lawsuit?

Especially if you have never been through this before, being served with a civil lawsuit can be terrifying. There are a few things you should know:
  • You have twenty days from the date you were served to respond.  This is often not the same date as when the lawsuit was filed.  Whatever the nature of the claims, you should contact an attorney right away.  If you miss the 20 day response deadline, you can lose by default.
  • Most of the time once you have a lawyer involved they can reach an agreement with the other side to extend the 20 day period to allow time to determine the best way to respond.
  • You should also be careful to preserve any documents or evidence you have relating to the dispute, whether you think it is helpful or not.  Once you are on notice of a lawsuit, you have a duty to preserve relevant evidence, and courts can impose serious sanctions if anything is lost or destroyed after that.
Above all, though you should act promptly in getting legal advice, there is no need to panic.  The documents you were served were drafted to look as bad for you as they possibly can, but you will have an opportunity to tell your side of the story, and your attorney can help put the best foot forward to either defend or settle the dispute.



Learn more here about what to expect as a defendant in a civil lawsuit.

Need Help With a Civil Lawsuit?

Call (781) 784-2322
OR
Schedule a Free Information Call
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​Sharon MA 02067

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Chester MA
26B Main Street
Chester MA 01011
(413) 667-2322
Serving Western Massachusetts
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Copyright 2022, slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination >
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Severance Pay
      • Unemployment in Massachusetts
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • Children with Special Needs
    • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Probate Process
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Andrew Silvia
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog