How do I add a defendant to a small claims court case?

If you have previously filed a small claims case in North Carolina but need to add a defendant to the case, you can do so through the North Carolina Small Claims Court. You will need to fill out a form, called an Amendment to the Statement of Claim, that must be signed by the original plaintiff and submitted to the Clerk of Court in the county where the original case was filed. This form must include the name and address of the defendant and the basis for the claim, i.e. why the defendant should be added to the lawsuit. Once the form is submitted, the defendant must be served with the summons and copy of the claim if not previously served. All defendants added to the suit must be served with the documents in order to be included in the case. The clerk of court can provide more information regarding service of process. If the defendant is added after the trial has already begun, the defendant must make arrangements with the court in order to defend the case. The defendant may also be able to submit evidence and take part in any arbitration or mediation that takes place in the case, however the defendant cannot be held responsible for any costs awarded in the case. It is important to consult an attorney familiar with small claims cases when adding a defendant to a case in North Carolina to ensure that the process is done correctly and all parties are served properly.

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