Civil litigation is sometimes necessary, but the costs can be confusing. To help you better understand what to expect, here's a breakdown of how much a civil lawsuit may cost if you're suing someone or if you face civil litigation.

Attorney Fees

First, you should hire an attorney to represent you in your civil case. The costs vary depending on the work required – contact us today to discuss our fee structure.

Filing Fees

To begin a civil lawsuit, the Plaintiff must file a complaint with the court. While the cost may be higher depending on the specifics of your case and your location, but generally, you can expect to pay around:

● $225 to sue for up to $10,000

● $370 if you sue for between $10,000 and $25,000

● $435 to sue for over $25,000

The Defendant must pay the same fee to lodge their answer.

Service Fees

If you're suing someone, you must give them formal notice of the case and any paperwork you have filed with the court. Hiring a process server to serve the papers on the Defendant can cost up to roughly $100.

Discovery Costs

The discovery process is how you gather the evidence you need to build your case. For example, you might need:

● copies of your medical records

● copy of a police accident report

● depositions (witness statements)

● expert witness evidence

As a guide, expert witnesses often charge several hundred dollars per hour, and formal depositions may cost $1000 or more. However, the costs do vary widely depending on the type of civil lawsuit and the work involved, so contact a civil litigation attorney in California for more information.

Civil Litigation With John Marshall, Attorney at Law

At John Marshall, Attorney at Law, we have the experience to handle even the most complex civil lawsuits, and we'll do everything possible to keep litigation costs to a minimum. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.