Sue in California Without a Lawyer (Sue in California Without a Lawyer, 1st ed)

Rating:
Summary: Beware of defects!
Review: Because of defects and omissions in this book, the court rejected my request for a default! Boy was I angry! Amazingly the author is a judge!! Specifically in chapter 9, page 3 it says to SKIP item 5. WRONG! Furthermore the author fails to mention that you must file SEPARATE requests for default for EACH defendant. (In my case I sued a small business AND the individual owner)

The author also cuts corners by providing only one sample for BOTH a request for entry of default AND judgments requests. This only confuses the reader.

The author's only sample of a declaration (that is supposed to accompany the request for judgment) pertains to an auto accident case. I modeled my declaration (regarding a breach of contract case) after the author's declaration and my legal coach said mine was a train wreck!

The author is also vague as to what instances you are supposed to use and file a "Proof of Service by Mail". I have no clue.

This book has potential to be a really great book. Unfortunately the author didn't dot all his i's and cross his t's so to speak. Defective forms can potentially cost you thousands if the defendant takes advantage. Hopefully there aren't more defects in this book that I haven't mentioned.

Rating:
Summary: This is the book that lawyers DON'T want you to read!
Review: I love it! ...this book has spared my wallet from the reprehensible wrath of money hungry lawyers and legal secretaries. This book explains which forms to fill out, and exactly how to fill them out. It includes examples of already filled out forms. I bought two other books that were of NO help in this department (namely "California Civil Litigation" and "Represent Yourself in Court"). EACH time I had to fill out and file a form this book probably paid for itself 8 times (without a legal secretary) and 25 times (without a lawyer). I successfully represented myself in a breach of contract / money owed dispute. On a more trivial note, the author even correctly forewarns that some court clerks have a tendency to basically treat "pro per" litigants like lower forms of life. Sure enough, I encountered a real smart *ss clerk. But I was prepared for this and dished it right back at her.