Civil Law
Contact UsEvery civil case follows a general lifecycle, though each situation is unique. The key phases include:
1) Initial Investigation & Evaluation
2) Filing of the Complaint
3) Response by Defendant (Answer, Motion to Dismiss, Affirmative Defenses)
4) Pretrial Motions & Hearings
5) Mediation or Settlement Negotiations
6) Trial
7) Appeals (if applicable)
8) Post-Judgment Collection (if successful)
Central Florida Civil Litigation
Plaintiff: The individual or entity initiating the lawsuit
Defendant: The individual or entity being sued
Phases of a Civil Lawsuit
At The Law Office of Mandy Pavlakos, P.A., we provide experienced, strategic legal counsel for individuals and businesses involved in civil disputes throughout Central Florida. Civil litigation involves legal conflicts between parties seeking financial compensation or specific performance, rather than criminal penalties.
Understanding the Parties Involved
Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of the case and the chosen billing structure. Before beginning representation, we will clearly discuss all costs with you. Common fee arrangements include flat fees—a single fee for defined services; hourly billing—based on the time spent on your case; and contingency fees—where attorney fees are collected only if we win, typically in cases involving an insurance company. In addition to attorney fees, other potential litigation expenses may include court filing fees, process server costs, court reporter and deposition fees, expert witness fees, and transcript costs. We will review all anticipated costs with you upfront to ensure transparency and avoid any surprises.