Should I Go To Court?

It is not likely that you often wake up thinking to yourself, “I should sue them.” While it may not be a frequent thought you have, the situation could arise where it might be important to know what you would do in those moments.

Can I win?

It may seem like an obvious statement, but the first thing you should do is determine if you really even have a case. In today’s society, there are bound to be issues, situations and circumstances that are frustrating to you. And it’s totally possible that you may feel slighted or that things have been done in a way that serve to your disadvantage. But there are more things to consider when going to court than just feeling like you’ve been treated unfairly. One thing that is important to remember is that there is a difference between a “legal claim” and a “cause for action.” While some situations warrant action, not all situations warrant legal action.

Did you even try?

While this may also seem obvious, many individuals and companies do not exhaust all options before seeking legal action. In reality, most would prefer to settle disputes out of the court system. And many are willing to negotiate outside of legal proceedings. If you are in conflict with a company, ask yourself if you have taken steps like lodging a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in your state? Actions like this that do not involve legal proceedings (which can come with a hefty price tag) are worth the effort to explore.

What will I get?

While the idea of taking someone, or an entity, to court can seem appealing to resolve a dispute once you have exhausted all other efforts; it might not be the most beneficial. Financial considerations are supremely important when thinking through pursuing someone legally. Legal proceedings can carry a weighty price tag. You’ll also want to know the financial status of those you are pursuing. That might seem like a silly thing to consider, but it’s important to establish an understanding of whether or not you’ll actually be able to collect (and how much you’d be able to collect) should you win.

So, what do I do?

Truth be told only you can decide for yourself if your dispute is worth pursuing in the legal system. While seeking sound legal advice is an important step in your process, you must judge your dispute and your circumstances in addition to playing out all possible outcomes.