The Law Offices of Mary Catherine Wiederhold is committed to helping you as the Client understand and work through the legal process by clarifying the facts and legal issues involved, preparing the appropriate documents and support, assessing the legal merits of your case and aggressively advocating for your interest.

To help you understand how the legal process can work to resolve your problem, we have provided the basics of what you can expect after you contact us.

Preparation
Before contacting with the Law Offices of Mary Catherine Wiederhold, gather all information about your tenancy, such as any written agreements, the lease, any letters you may have written about the problems, any letters the other party may have written to you, and any other miscellaneous papers that might be relevant.

Process
A civil case begins when one party files a summons and complaint in superior court, often by the landlord or the landlord's attorney. After the defendant (you) is served, you have thirty days to file an answer.

After you file the answer in conjunction with the Law Offices of Mary Catherine Wiederhold, there is a process called discovery. This involves written questions given to the other side to uncover information regarding the allegations.

Discovery might also involve a deposition, which is a meeting with the parties and the lawyers where questions are asked about the facts of the case.

An unlawful detainer or eviction is similar to a normal civil case, but the process occurs much more quickly. It starts with the landlord delivering to the tenant a Three Day Notice. The tenant might be able to meet the landlord's demands, such as pay past due rent. Otherwise, the landlord will file a summons and complaint in the superior court.

A trial typically occurs about a month after the filing of the complaint.

Resolution
Mediation is the process where a retired judge or a lawyer examines the evidence and attempts to settle the lawsuit between you and the landlord or opposing party. This process usually takes several hours, although it can take longer depending on the complexity of the issues.

Just before a trial, another mediation or settlement conference is held in front of a judge in the superior court. If no agreement is reached, then the parties go to trial.

There are, of course, numerous unique considerations related to your case. Mary Catherine Wiederhold has experience with both the law and trends within the courts, which enables her to be a forceful advocate for your interests.