Served With a Lawsuit in Arizona? What to Do Before the End of the Year
Getting served with a lawsuit can seem quite frightening. You may be wondering how this works under Arizona law and what it means for your life. And, it’s all hitting here at the end of the year, which is already a very busy time. There are time deadlines that you have to deal with, and missing them could result in default judgments against you. While this can all feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to. A legal paraprofessional can help guide you through the legal process and ensure your rights are protected.
At JNH Legal Services, PLLC, our legal paraprofessional can help you after being served with a lawsuit in Arizona. He understands what you face, how to file an appropriate answer, and even how to negotiate a potential resolution to case. Get in touch today to learn more.
Understand Arizona’s Response Deadlines
- Standard Deadline: In most civil cases, you have 20 days to file a written response (called an “Answer”) if you were served in Arizona.
- Out-of-State Service: If you were served while outside Arizona, you typically have 30 days to respond.
- Holiday Season Caution: The deadline doesn’t pause simply because a holiday happens during that time. It may affect the deadline slightly if your last day falls on a holiday, but this can be more complicated than it sounds.
If you don’t file in time, the person who filed might get a default judgment. This could mean you get a ruling against you without ever appearing in court.
Review the Complaint Carefully
When served, you’ll receive a Summons and a Complaint. These documents outline:
- Who is suing you
- The legal claims being made
- The damages or relief requested
Take time to read every allegation. Even if you disagree, you must respond to each claim in your Answer. Ignoring or misunderstanding the Complaint can weaken your defense.
Prepare Your Response Before the End of the Year
Your Answer must follow Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer must:
- Address each allegation made in the Complaint
- List any affirmative defenses you want to raise
- File the answer with the court and serve the other party, or their attorney
There are important rules that go with all of this. Having a legal paraprofessional is critical to defending against a lawsuit.
Don’t Assume You Can Delay Until January
You may be thinking you can wait until January to deal with this. It’s the holidays, so you already have enough to think about, right? But it is essential you deal with lawsuits right away. Your deadline could fall before the end of the year. If you wait, the deadline could pass. Even if it is in January, you need time to put together your response.
Practical Steps to Take Immediately
- Mark your response deadline on your calendar.
- Contact an Arizona legal paraprofessional as soon as possible.
- Gather relevant documents such as contracts, communications, or receipts.
- Draft your Answer or motion with professional guidance.
- File and serve your response before the deadline.
When to Consult an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional
A legal paraprofessional (LP) can help you analyze your case and determine the best path forward. Jason Halper, the founder of JNH Legal Services, PLLC, is a dedicated LP with years of experience helping clients find cost-effective and efficient solutions. He is an accomplished paraprofessional and author, writing “Licensed to Lead: A Comprehensive Guide to Emerging as a Legal Paraprofessional.”
A legal paraprofessional can help you answer an end-of-year complaint and protect against a default judgment. He can also help you throughout the case to resolve your issues and seek a favorable resolution.
Deal with Lawsuits Right Away with an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional
End-of-year lawsuits can be especially frustrating, but you need to deal with them correctly. Address them right away and with appropriate legal guidance.
Consult an experienced legal paraprofessional at JNH Legal Services, PLLC to learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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