The stages most cases pass through
A case starts with a complaint, sometimes called a summons and complaint in New York, and the defendant then has a short period to respond. In New York state court the main trial-level court is called the Supreme Court, which surprises many people, and New York City also has a Civil Court for smaller claims. Federal court is a separate system with its own rules. After the pleadings comes discovery, the exchange of documents, written questions, and depositions, which usually takes the most time and money. Motions can narrow or end a case along the way, and most matters resolve by settlement before a trial date arrives.
What litigation will ask of you
Once a dispute is reasonably expected, you have a duty to preserve relevant material, including emails, texts, and files on personal devices. Deleting things, even routinely, can cause real problems later. You will likely be asked to search your own records, answer written questions under oath, and possibly sit for a deposition where the other side's lawyer questions you. Courts also expect parties to meet deadlines, and a missed response date can lead to a default judgment. We help you plan for the time this takes from your work and family, because litigation is often a long commitment rather than a single event.
Settling the plan before the first filing
In an early meeting we work out what you actually want from the case: money, a court order, a correction of the record, or simply an end to the dispute. We identify the right court or forum, check whether a contract requires arbitration or sets a particular venue, and look at limitation periods. If you are the one being sued, we confirm the date your response is due and whether insurance may provide a defense. We also lay out an estimated budget and the points where settlement talks typically become realistic. You should leave understanding the first several steps and who will be doing what.
