- 1). Prepare a complaint. The complaint is a written statement of the allegations that make up your lawsuit. The complaint should specify the defendant's conduct that caused you harm and any background information that will be helpful in making your claim clear to a reader. At the end of the complaint, state the amount of your damages. Use the form for complaints provided on the New Jersey Judiciary website.
- 2). Complete the civil case information statement. The information statement provides the court with basic information about your case and the parties. It includes the names, addresses and contact information for the parties and a description of the nature of the case. It is available on the New Jersey judiciary website.
- 3). File your complaint and pay the filing fee. As of June 2010, the filing fee to commence a civil suit in New Jersey Superior Court is $200. Make copies of your complaint for yourself. The court must receive the original and two copies of the documents. Deliver the court's copies to the courthouse along with the filing fee.
- 4). Prepare a summons and serve the papers on the defendant. The court will return one copy of your filed documents to you along with a track assignment notice (TAN). The complaint, civil case information statement and the TAN must be served along with the summons on the defendant. You may want to hire a process server. The process server will prepare and file an affidavit of service, which is proof that the defendant was served.
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