Civil litigation in Pennsylvania follows a structured but often lengthy process. Understanding the timeline helps manage expectations.
Before filing, we typically send a formal demand letter. Many disputes resolve at this stage. If not, the demand preserves your credibility with the court.
The lawsuit begins with the filing of a complaint. The defendant has 20 days to respond (30 if served out of county). Before answering, the defendant may file preliminary objections — Pennsylvania's equivalent of a motion to dismiss — arguing the case should be thrown out or the complaint is legally deficient. If the court overrules the objections, the defendant then files an answer. This phase determines whether your case survives long enough to reach discovery.
Both sides exchange information — documents, written questions, and sworn testimony. This is almost always the longest, most expensive, and most important phase of a lawsuit. The outcome of most cases is determined during discovery, not at trial. See the detailed discovery guide below.
After discovery closes, either side can ask the judge to decide the case without a trial — arguing there's nothing left to fight about factually and they should win as a matter of law. This is the second major "off-ramp" where cases end before trial. See the detailed explanation below.
Bucks County requires mediation or a settlement conference in most civil cases before trial. A significant percentage of cases settle at this stage.
If the case doesn't settle, it proceeds to trial before a judge or jury. Trial length depends on complexity — from one day to several weeks.
Even after a favorable verdict, collection is a separate process. Wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens are tools — but they require additional legal action and cost.
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