How long does it take to pursue a claim in small claims court?
The amount of time it takes to pursue a claim in Colorado small claims court can vary greatly depending on a few factors. Generally speaking, a small claims case in Colorado can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. The first step in pursuing a claim in small claims court is to file a complaint. The court will provide a standard form which can be filled out and submitted in person or online. After filing the complaint, the court will issue a summons, which is a legal document notifying the defendant of the lawsuit. The next step in the process is to serve the defendant with the summons and complaint. This can be done by the plaintiff themselves, by someone else, or by a process server. In Colorado, the defendant must be served at least 14 days before the trial hearing. Once the defendant has received the summons and complaint, the court will schedule a trial date and both the plaintiff and the defendant will be notified. Depending on the backlog of cases in small claims court, the trial date may be set several weeks to several months away. Finally, the plaintiff and defendant will appear in court for the trial. The trial will usually take a few hours and the court will make its decision shortly after. Overall, pursuing a claim in small claims court in Colorado can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.
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