Represent Yourself in Court - 12th Edition by Paul Bergman & Sara J Berman (Paperback)

About the Book

Whether it's a personal injury matter, divorce, a real estate dispute, or any other kind of lawsuit, this book will teach readers how to represent themselves in court.

Book Synopsis

Many disputes are too big for small claims court but too small to justify a lawyer's fee. Fortunately, if you're willing to learn the courtroom ropes, you can successfully handle your own case from start to finish.

Represent Yourself in Court breaks the pretrial and trial process down into easy-to-understand steps. Armed with these clear and thorough instructions, you'll be well prepared to:

• draft and file court papers

• get help from an attorney or legal coach

• obtain and prepare your evidence, including social media postings

• handle depositions

• line up, prepare, and examine witnesses

• present an opening statement

• make and respond to objections

• pick a jury if necessary, and

• deal with the court clerk and judge

Whether you're a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you handle a bankruptcy, divorce, landlord-tenant dispute, breach of contract case, small business dispute--or any other civil lawsuit.

Review Quotes

"Nolo publications...guide people simply through the how, when, where and why of the law." The Washington Post

Represent Yourself in Court is a step-by-step guide to civil (non-criminal) litigation. In plain language and filled with examples and sample court forms, the book describes rules and procedures from the initial stages of a lawsuit to the final appeal. The book will help readers determine whether they have a claim that is suitable for court resolution and, if so, how to prepare and argue the case. If you're representing yourself, the book is an indispensable guide to the policies, rules, and procedures in civil courts. If you have an attorney, the book will help you become an educated client, who understands the language your lawyer is speaking and can participate meaningfully in important legal decisions.