Serrato LawAPC

What we handle

Civil cases are decided by the evidence that can be admitted and the arguments that survive a motion. We build cases from the first demand letter with the trial in mind.

Breach of contract

Written and oral agreements, service contracts, loans, and the disputes that follow when one side stops performing.

Real estate and property disputes

Quiet title, partition, boundary and easement fights, deed challenges, and disputes between co-owners and family members over who owns what.

Business and partnership disputes

Disagreements between owners, buyouts gone wrong, and claims for breach of fiduciary duty.

Financial elder abuse

Claims under California's Elder Abuse Act when a caregiver, relative, or advisor takes an older person's money or property. These cases carry enhanced remedies, including attorney's fees.

Unlawful detainer defense

Eviction defense for tenants and occupants, including the procedural defenses that most landlords' notices do not survive.

Fraud and misrepresentation

Claims against people who lied to get a signature, a payment, or a transfer of property.

How a civil lawsuit moves

A California civil case follows a predictable arc. Each stage is a chance to win, settle, or narrow the fight.

  1. Demand and evaluation

    Before anyone files, we evaluate the claim, the defenses, and whether the other side can actually pay a judgment. A well-drafted demand letter resolves more cases than people expect.

  2. Complaint and response

    The complaint is filed and served. The defendant has 30 days to respond with an answer, a demurrer, or a motion. Missing that deadline leads to default, so the clock matters.

  3. Discovery

    Interrogatories, document requests, depositions, and subpoenas. This is where cases are won. We take discovery seriously and we hold the other side to their obligations.

  4. Motions

    Summary judgment, motions to compel, and evidentiary motions can end a case or reshape it before trial.

  5. Mediation and settlement

    Most courts require a settlement conference. By this point both sides know the evidence, and a negotiated result is often the right one.

  6. Trial and judgment

    Bench or jury trial, then judgment and collection. A judgment is only worth what you can collect, and we plan for that from the start.

Common questions

I was served with a lawsuit. How long do I have?

Generally 30 days from the date of service to file a response in the superior court. Unlawful detainer cases are much shorter. Call a lawyer as soon as you are served; the deadline does not wait for you to find one.

Do you take cases on contingency?

Some. Financial elder abuse and certain other plaintiff's cases may be handled on a contingency or hybrid fee. Defense work and most contract cases are hourly. We discuss fee structure at the consultation.

How much does a lawsuit cost?

It depends on how hard the other side fights. We give an honest estimate at the start, revisit it at each stage, and tell you when the cost of continuing outweighs what is at stake.

Can I recover my attorney's fees?

Only if a contract or a statute says so. Many written contracts have fee clauses, and the Elder Abuse Act awards fees to a prevailing plaintiff. Otherwise each side pays its own lawyer.

Talk to an attorney about your case.

Call the office or send a message and tell us what is going on.

Call (909) 757-6540 Contact the firm