Got sued
Being served with a lawsuit is stressful, but the first steps are predictable. These guides walk through deadlines, your options, and where to find low-cost help in your county.
Statewide guides
How to Look Up a Court Case in California
How to find a California superior court case online: which case types are online, searching by name or case number, fees, and getting copies.
Got suedYour California Business Was Served With a Lawsuit: The First 30 Days
Your California business was served with a lawsuit? The 30-day deadline, who can represent you, how to respond and how to avoid a default.
Got sued at a glance
This topic covers what to do when your California business is served with a lawsuit. The guides explain the response deadline, who can represent the business, and how to search county court records.
| Item | Rule | Guide link |
|---|---|---|
| Time to respond | 30 calendar days after you are served, in most civil cases | Served with a lawsuit |
| Papers left with an employee, then mailed | Service is complete on the 10th day after mailing | Served with a lawsuit |
| Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases | 10 days, not counting weekends and court holidays, plus 5 court days if served by mail | Served with a lawsuit |
| Setting aside a default | Within a reasonable time and no later than six months | Served with a lawsuit |
| Limited civil case | $35,000 or less, not counting attorney fees, interest and costs | Served with a lawsuit |
| Online case searches | Case-number searches are usually free; name searches often need a fee or account | Look up a court case |
Where to start
- If you need to know your deadline, who can file for an LLC or corporation, and how to respond, read Your business was served with a lawsuit: the first 30 days.
- If you need to check whether your business has been sued, or find a case by name or case number, read How to look up a court case in California.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a business have to respond to a lawsuit in California?
In most civil cases, you have 30 calendar days after you are served to file a written response. Don't count the day of service. If the last day falls on a weekend or court holiday, the deadline moves to the next court day.
Can an LLC represent itself in court in California?
Not outside small claims court. Corporations, LLCs and other business entities must appear through a licensed attorney in regular civil cases. In small claims, a business appears through an employee, officer or director.
How do I find out if my business has been sued?
Search the court's online index in the county where you operate, using the business's legal name, DBA names and the owner's name. There is no statewide search, because each of California's 58 superior courts runs its own system.
A case in the index doesn't always mean you've been served. Your response deadline starts when you are served, not when the case was filed.