How to File a Complaint Without a Lawyer

You should make copies of any paperwork you fill out

You may wish to sue a person or business if you feel that they owe you money or have violated your rights in some way. You need to file a complaint to start this process. However, you may put it off because you think you need to hire a lawyer and you lack the funds to do so. The good news is you can file a complaint yourself without a lawyer by following the right steps.

Things You'll Need

• Phone book
• Copy machine

Instructions

1. Contact the local clerk of court where you wish to file the complaint. You should file the complaint in the county you reside in. Let the clerk of court know you want to file a complaint and ask them what paperwork you need and where to get it. The paperwork will be available online or at the courthouse.

2. Obtain the paperwork and fill it out. The paperwork will ask information such as who the party is you are filing the complaint about and what the offense is.

3. 

   You should make copies of any paperwork you fill out

   Make at least three copies of the paperwork. You should have a copy to give to the clerk of court, one copy for yourself and an extra one. You need to make these copies ahead of time as the clerk of court most likely will not do it for you.

4. Take the paperwork to the clerk of court and file the complaint. Once the complaint is filed they will send out a notice to inform the defendant that a complaint has been filed against him or her. After a certain period of time, designated by the court, there may be meditation or a hearing to try to get the complaint resolved.

Tips & Warnings

• Do as much research as you can ahead of time to prepare yourself for the legal proceedings that occur after filing the complaint.

• In some instances, there will be a fee to file a complaint.

References

• Superior Court of DC: Filing a Complaint
• Clerk of Superior Court's Office Maricopa County, Arizona: Complaint Information