What to do when someone keeps suing you?

Asked by: Grace Monahan  |  Last update: August 21, 2025
Score: 5/5 (33 votes)

If you believe someone has filed a frivolous lawsuit against you, take the following steps to protect your rights:
  1. Immediately file a motion to dismiss. ...
  2. Request that the plaintiff be ruled a vexatious litigant. ...
  3. File a countersuit.

At what point do most lawsuits settle?

It is well known within the legal world that most cases settle before they ever get to trial. Generally, less than 3% of civil cases reach a trial verdict. So, around 97% of cases are resolved by means other than trial.

How do you protect yourself from someone suing you?

Investing in an umbrella liability insurance policy is a good first step to protecting yourself against civil action. The company who provides your homeowner's insurance or auto insurance policy probably offers this type of add-on policy. It pays out to cover losses above and beyond what your normal policy might cover.

How to fight someone suing you?

If you file an Answer to the lawsuit and defend yourself in court, you can state an affirmative defense. You can deny what the plaintiff says you did without saying anything else. But you can also have affirmative defenses. You must raise it in your Answer or you may give up your right to bring it up later.

What if someone sues you and you have nothing?

If you truly have no assets and limited income, you might be considered "judgment proof." This means that even if the other party wins the lawsuit, they may not be able to collect any money from you. However, being judgment proof doesn't prevent the lawsuit from proceeding or a judgment from being entered against you.

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Can you go to jail for not paying someone who sued you?

While debt collectors can no longer have you jailed or threaten to have you arrested for not paying your debts, there are a few instances in which you can be incarcerated with debt as the underlying cause. For example, a debt collector can sue you and, if you fail to comply with court orders, you could get jail time.

What happens if you ignore someone suing you?

If you don't file an Answer, the plaintiff can file a “Motion for Default,” asking for an automatic win. The court usually grants the Motion for Default because you haven't officially acknowledged the lawsuit. The court enters a default judgment, essentially ruling in favor of the plaintiff without your participation.

Can you sue someone who keeps suing you?

If someone has filed a frivolous lawsuit against you, meaning one without any legal merit or basis, you may be able to sue them for wrongful litigation. To do so, you must demonstrate that they knew their claims were baseless but proceeded with the lawsuit anyway.

How to prove you were not served properly?

Provide relevant photos or videos that either support your claim of improper service or contradict the counterclaim of the serving party. For example, if the plaintiff claims you were present during the service on a specific date, provide a photo that proves you were in another location on the said date and time.

How do I fight a lawsuit with no money?

Contingency means that your lawyer will agree to take on your case and represent you without requiring any payment upfront, allowing you to file a case with no money. Your lawyer will only receive payment for their services if and when you reach a positive resolution and some form of compensation in your case.

How to stop from getting sued?

How can you avoid a potential lawsuit?
  1. Pay all Your Debts. Failing to pay your debts may at times give rise to legal proceedings against you. ...
  2. Keep documentation of everything. ...
  3. Have good liability insurance. ...
  4. Avoid breaching the terms of a contract. ...
  5. Work with a qualified Attorney.

How do you defend yourself against a frivolous lawsuit?

If you believe someone has filed a frivolous lawsuit against you, take the following steps to protect your rights:
  1. Immediately file a motion to dismiss. ...
  2. Request that the plaintiff be ruled a vexatious litigant. ...
  3. File a countersuit.

What can you get from suing someone?

You can sue for damages for physical, emotional, or economic injuries. You can also sue for injuries to your reputation, along with violations of your property, privacy, or constitutional rights.

Is it better to settle out of court or go to trial?

An out-of-court settlement can offer a quicker resolution, allowing you to potentially receive compensation and move forward with your life sooner. Reduced Costs: Trials can incur substantial expert witness costs, preparation expenses, and court expenses.

How long do most settlements take?

How long do most personal injury cases take to settle? The duration of most personal injury cases to settle varies widely, typically ranging from a few months to several years, depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and the negotiation process with insurance companies.

What's the most a lawyer can take from settlement?

But how much do lawyers take from a settlement? The standard contingency fee is usually between 33 and 40 percent of the settlement amount. By hiring a legal team on a contingency fee, you can avoid paying hourly or upfront fees for representation after an accident and injury.

What happens if you are never served?

In some situations where the process server truly failed to serve you the court papers properly, the court cannot pass a judgment against you because it has no personal jurisdiction over you. Thus, they will postpone the case to another court date where the process server will attempt to serve you again.

What happens if someone lies about being served?

If you are being served with legal papers, it is not against the law for you to lie to the process server. However, if the court finds out that you lied, there may be consequences. The court may deem that you are in contempt of court and may impose sanctions against you.

What is the most common tool used in discovery?

One of the most common discovery tools is written interrogatories, which are questions that one party sends to the other party in writing. The responding party must answer the questions in writing, under oath.

Can I stop someone from suing me?

If you're wondering about how to stop most frivolous lawsuits, you must contact an experienced attorney who can advise you on the best course of action to take. Very often, a wise option is to settle out of court by apologizing or offering a small compensation to resolve the issue even if you were not at fault.

What do you call someone who sues people a lot?

excessively or readily inclined to litigate: a litigious person.

How to get a court case dismissed?

Participate In A Pretrial Diversion Program

In many criminal cases, the defendant can participate in a pretrial diversion program. If they successfully meet the requirements, the court will dismiss their case. In California, there are different types of pretrial diversion programs, including: Drug diversion programs.

Can you go to jail for ignoring a lawsuit?

In certain states, a debtor who fails to obey a court order to make an assigned payment or to appear at a hearing can deemed to be in civil contempt of court. As a result, a court may issue a warrant for the arrest of the debtor who has not followed court orders.

What happens if someone sues you and you have nothing?

The plaintiff might attempt wage garnishment or bank account levies. Some defendants might be considered “judgment proof” if they have no assets. Possible Outcomes and Future Collection: Judgments remain active for several years and could be renewed.

What happens if the person suing you doesn't show up?

A judge is most likely to dismiss a case with prejudice if the plaintiff doesn't show up in court and doesn't file a written request for postponement before the court date.