Legal actions are never pleasant, no matter which side you are on. When it happens, it is almost impossible to be prepared for it, unless you have studied law. The most important thing is to stay calm. Then, follow the steps below to make sure that all will be handled as it should.
Seek Legal Advice
If you become party to a legal action, the very first thing you should do is to seek legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in the relevant area of law. Only they can provide you with the guidance that you will need to walk the path that is in front of you, in regards to your rights and obligations. They will explain the legal process and how it will unfold. Most importantly, they will provide you with the potential outcomes of the case, so that you know what to expect and what you should be trying to accomplish along the way to get the best results possible for yourself, in the end.
Familiarize Yourself with the Legal Process
One of the reasons that explain why people don't sleep well at night and suffer from anxiety throughout legal proceedings that they are involved in, is that they don't understand the legal process. When you don't know what to expect and don't have a clear view of the steps that are involved, it can create a lot of insecurity which immediately turns into stress and all of its symptoms (headaches, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, etc.). Familiarizing yourself with the legal process will help you to prepare and respond appropriately to outside events related to the case. But it will also help in your day to day life throughout the duration, before the case is closed.
There are many things that your lawyer can help you understand including the timeline, and how to file documents which are necessary to the case. He will explain how the legal documents that you need to send to the other party have to be delivered by a specialized company, such as these process services in Washington DC. It is the only way to serve documents if you want to be a hundred percent sure that it will be recognized by the court. These professionals know the rules and act accordingly, so that they can prove legal delivery every time they have a task to do.
Keep Records
When the process servers deliver legal documents, they write an affidavit explaining how the delivery was made. This is how they can confirm that the documents were served. Just like them, you will need to write an affidavit explaining how the situation happened in the first place. But to back up your claim, you will also need to keep records of everything that has to do with the case. It can include correspondence, legal documents and financial records as well. It is only by having organized records that you will be able to stay on top of the case and provide the necessary evidence to back-up your words.
Attend All Court Proceedings
Although parties involved are not always required to attend all court proceedings, it would be a grave mistake not to do so. In fact, it may affect the outcome. Judges do not appreciate it when someone doesn't take part in the process of a legal action that refers directly to them. Since they are not machines, their own emotions play a part in the judicial process, and being absent may be a strike against you in their view.
Always stay Calm, Rational and Courteous
Keeping your emotions steady is not always easy when you are implicated in a legal dispute. However, you must try to remain calm and rational at all times throughout the proceedings. Being seen as uncooperative or hostile could definitely play a large part in the final judgment going against you. Just follow the court's orders without complaining. Any failure to comply could result in serious consequences such as fines or risk of more legal action against you. Just be truthful and transparent, as misleading the court would definitely play in favour of the other party. Trust your lawyer, as he knows how the legal system works, even when things he does or says may seem illogical to you.
