WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO GOING TO TRIAL?
The parties to a lawsuit are free to discuss settlement of their case at any time. When you come to court for trial, the Judge will give you time to discuss your case with the other party before the case is heard. If you are able to settle your case, the settlement may take several forms. There may be an agreement by the parties to take certain actions and upon the completion of those actions, each party will file a dismissal of their claims against the other. If this is the way you want to settle your case, you may ask the Court to continue the case to another date to give both parties time to complete their agreement. If the matter is resolved before that date, both parties should file dismissals. If the matter is not resolved, both parties should appear for trial. There may be an agreement for the payment of money by one party to the other at some time in the future, either by a single payment or by installments. If that is how you settle your case, you may ask the Court to enter a
