I used to believe that if you just ignored something, it would (a) go away, or (b) go away. Unfortunately, that's not the case with most things. Most problems will not disappear magically on their own.
That's true for a lawsuit.
When you're sued, either in your business or personally, you'll get two things: (1) a summons, and (2) the petition. Under Oklahoma's laws, the person serving these document must give both of them to you. If you don't receive both documents, then it's improper service, and the plaintiff must try again.
The summons will advise you that you have a specific time period to answer the allegations in the petition, and that you may hire an attorney. Your Petition will allege injuries and damages, and ask the court for a judgment in the plaintiff's favor.
Fortunately, Oklahoma gives you 20 days to file an answer. Unfortunately, if you fail to respond to the action, the plaintiff can ask for a default judgment. This means you'll owe the plaintiff money, without making the plaintiff do any work.
In case you're wondering, this is a very bad result. in essence, you're turning over the keys to Fort Knox. The plaintiff will now use any legal means to collect his/her award, including garnishing your paycheck or checking account.
If you're facing a lawsuit, it's very important that you don't ignore it. Get legal advice now! I can help you resolve your legal matter. Give me a call at (405) 748-0318, or send an email to .
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