Stop guessing. Pressure-test it.

Common questions

How do I know if I have a legal case?

A case needs four things: facts you can prove, a legal claim or defense whose required elements those facts satisfy, real harm or a concrete consequence, and a deadline that has not passed. If any one of those is missing, the case usually fails no matter how unfair the situation feels.

What evidence do I need to prove my case?

Start with anything dated and independent of memory: contracts, messages, emails, photos, receipts, medical or repair records, and names of witnesses who saw it directly. Build an inventory that lists each item, what it proves, and who holds it.

How long do I have to file a case?

Filing windows, called statutes of limitations, vary by claim type and state and can be as short as a few months for claims against government agencies. Because notice requirements can run even sooner, check your deadline before you spend time building the rest of the file.

Can I test my case before hiring a lawyer?

Yes. Mapping your facts to the elements of the claim, listing your proof, and rehearsing the story against hostile questions in a mock trial shows you where it is thin before anyone bills you for an hour.

What is the difference between being wronged and having a claim?

Being wronged is a fact about how you were treated; a claim is a specific legal theory with elements a court can rule on. Unfair, rude, and disappointing conduct is often lawful, so the work is finding the rule that the conduct actually broke.

How much is my case worth?

Value comes from documented losses — money paid, income lost, property damaged, care required — not from how upsetting the situation was. Add up the receipts first, because a claim you cannot quantify is hard to settle and harder to prove.

Should I file in small claims court or regular civil court?

Small claims handles limited dollar amounts with simplified rules and usually no attorneys, which fits documented money disputes. Larger amounts, injunctive relief, or complex claims belong in regular civil court, where discovery and motion practice apply.

Does a demand letter help before filing?

A short, factual demand letter that states what happened, what rule it broke, what you want, and by when resolves many disputes and creates a dated record either way. Keep it unemotional and attach copies, never originals.

What weakens a case that otherwise looks strong?

Missed deadlines, gaps in documentation, inconsistent retellings, deleted messages, and signed agreements you did not read. Most cases are lost on the record and the calendar, not on the underlying fairness.