Any time a person is sued, they'll be required to "appear" in court in some fashion or another - whether that be responding to the suit with a filing, or actually appearing in person. So, by filing a lawsuit, a homeowner could force their plumber to appear in court.
There are a few things worth noting here. For one, sending a demand letter requiring a plumber to either finish the job or return payment might be helpful - especially if the letter warns the recipient that they'll face a potential lawsuit if they fail to do so. Sending a demand letter via an attorney can help to resolve the dispute without having to take legal action.
But, if push comes to shove, note that filing a claim Illinois small claims court might be a viable (and even preferable) alternative to traditional litigation. Small claims court is available for disputes under $10,000 (in Illinois), and resolving a legal dispute in small claims court will typically be much faster and cost effective than a traditional court.
As a final note, it might be helpful to first consult with a local construction attorney before deciding how to proceed. They'll be able to look at the details of your situation and determine how best to proceed.
The information presented here is not legal advice and should not be construed as such. Rather, this content is provided for informational purposes. Do not act on this information as if it is advice. Further, this post does not create any attorney-client relationship. If you do need legal advice, seek the helSee More...See More...
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