Being sued in California? Don’t miss your deadline to respond. Our lawsuit defense attorneys protect individuals and small businesses. No fee consultation.
If you’ve been served with a lawsuit in California, you generally have only 30 days to file a response — and ignoring it can lead to a default judgment against you. Acting quickly protects your rights and your finances.
Being sued is alarming, but the worst thing you can do is nothing. In California, you typically have 30 days after being served to file a formal response. If you miss that deadline, the court can enter a default judgment, allowing the other side to collect against you without your input.
We step in quickly to evaluate the claims against you, identify defenses, and file the appropriate response. From there, we work to resolve the matter on the best possible terms — whether through negotiation, a motion to dismiss, or a strong defense at trial.
In most California civil cases, you have 30 days from the date you were served to file a response with the court. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment, so it is important to act immediately.
If you do not respond, the court can enter a default judgment against you, which may allow the plaintiff to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, or place liens on property. Responding on time preserves your right to defend yourself.
Yes. Depending on the facts, a lawsuit may be dismissed through a motion challenging the legal sufficiency of the claims, lack of evidence, or procedural defects. We evaluate every avenue to get the case dismissed or resolved favorably.
Whether to settle or fight a lawsuit depends on the strength of the claims and your goals. Sometimes an early settlement is the most cost-effective option; other times, a strong defense is warranted. We help you weigh the costs and benefits of each path.
Do not ignore it. You generally have 30 days to respond. Gather the complaint and all related documents and contact an attorney promptly, because missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment against you.
If you fail to respond to a lawsuit in time, the court can enter judgment against you without hearing your side. Default judgments are difficult and costly to undo, which is why a timely response matters.
Common responses include an answer that addresses each allegation, or a motion challenging the complaint. The right response depends on the claims, and it must be filed within the deadline.
Sometimes. If you have your own claims arising from the same situation, you may be able to assert a cross-complaint. We can assess whether that strengthens your position.
The cost of defending a lawsuit depends on the complexity of the claims and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. We discuss fee options and strategy after reviewing what you have been served with.
Whether to settle or fight depends on the strength of the claims against you, your exposure, and the cost of defending. We help you weigh the risks so the decision is informed rather than reactive.
Possibly. Some complaints have legal defects that can be challenged by motion before trial. Whether that applies depends on how the claims are pleaded and the underlying facts.
We defend individuals and businesses in civil and commercial disputes, including contract claims and business torts. We do not handle criminal defense.
From our offices in Orange County, Costa Mesa, the Bay Area, and the Inland Empire, The Hashemi Law Firm represents clients throughout California, including:
Get a no-fee, no-obligation case evaluation today.