When you and your spouse cannot have a civil conversation without a fight erupting, it can be easy to feel like there is no way forward. If you have children getting caught in the middle, and financial concerns in multiple accounts, you probably think the situation is beyond complex.
However, in the legal world, the term “complex” is used very differently to describe a very particular type of case. “Complex litigation” is a specific approach used to resolve cases that have particular factors at play. Read on to learn if your case is legally considered complex.
Requirements for complex litigation
You may have a case that involves complex litigation if you bring a lawsuit against another person or some city or government entity. This often happens in family matters or injury cases.
A complex litigation case must also include one or more of the following attributes:
- Many people or parties are involved, such as an extended family, neighborhood, employees and multiple attorneys
- Various cities, counties, states or countries are involved
- Significant amounts of money are being questioned or sought
- The trial length is estimated to be a year or more
- The legal matters are intricate and need special attention from the attorneys
When a case meets these requirements, you need an attorney who knows how to handle it. One judge will be assigned to your case from start to finish, which gives everyone the opportunity to present large amounts of evidence and concerns.
Risks if you are entering complex litigation
The one thing you should know is these types of cases can drag on for months or years. This can be exhausting to everyone involved and is extremely costly. Recognizing early on the kind of situation you have and what it may entail can help you select the right representation for the job.