How to sue someone when you don't know where they live?

Is it worth it to sue someone?

Before filing a lawsuit, prospective litigants should consider what they want from a case. Civil courts can only give you money or return property. A judgment cannot fix an underlying family problem or neighborhood feud. Lawsuits cost time and money, even if you get court costs awarded with a judgment in your favor.

What are the odds of winning a lawsuit?

The chances of winning a lawsuit vary greatly, but most personal injury cases (90-95%) settle out of court; for those that go to trial, plaintiffs win roughly 50-60% of the time, with car accidents having higher success rates (~61%) and medical malpractice cases having lower ones (~27-37%). Key factors influencing your odds include clear liability (proof the other party was at fault), strength of evidence (medical records, photos, witnesses), the type of case, and having an experienced lawyer. 

What not to tell the attorney?

You should not tell a lawyer to downplay injuries, admit fault, lie, exaggerate, withhold details, or trash-talk others involved; avoid telling them how to do their job, comparing them to other lawyers, being overly casual (like saying "you guys"), or discussing irrelevant personal info, as honesty is key, but focus on facts and let the lawyer guide strategy, especially regarding admissions or social media posts.
 

Is finding out where someone lives illegal?

It's generally legal to find someone's address using public records (like online people search tools or directories), but it becomes illegal if done with malicious intent, like stalking, harassment, or doxing (publishing private info to cause harm), potentially violating stalking laws, privacy torts, or cyber harassment statutes, especially if you use invasive tracking methods or publish private info with harmful intent. 

What happens if you can't find the person you need to serve?

The Court May Allow Alternative Service

This could be a family member, roommate, or employer. Service by Publication: If someone truly cannot be located, the court may authorize publishing a legal notice in a newspaper or other publicly available forum.

Is it possible to be sued without knowing?

Yes, someone can file a lawsuit against you without your immediate knowledge, but they must eventually provide you with formal notice (service of process) of the lawsuit for the case to proceed legally and for a judgment to be enforceable; however, you can be unaware of it if service is done through alternative methods (like mail/door taping) or if someone else in your home receives the papers and doesn't tell you, potentially leading to a default judgment against you. 

How to find someone you need to serve?

Here are several methods to help you find someone to serve court papers:

1. Collect initial information. ...
2. Use online search tools. ...
3. Research public records. ...
4. Contact known associates. ...
5. Seek professional help. ...
6. Check jails and prisons. ...
7. Send a letter. ...
8. Use a reverse telephone directory.

Can you use someone's address if you don't live there?

A resident temporarily living in a different state for school or work may want to forward mail to a domicile address. But someone who isn't the owner of a home or apartment must ask for permission. If permission is not requested and granted, that person is committing address fraud and maybe even mail fraud [*].

Can someone sue me if they don't know where I live?

Yes, you can file that lawsuit. You can even serve the lawsuit by publication if you can establish you have made diligent efforts to locate the individual and serve them personally. If the person then responds to the complaint you can get their address during the discovery process.

What happens if you sue someone and they have nothing?

In California, a person's financial status does not remove their legal responsibility. If someone harms you, breaks a contract, or causes financial loss, you have the right to take legal action—regardless of whether they can pay. A successful lawsuit means the court agrees that the other party is liable.

Can I sue anonymously?

Filing a lawsuit anonymously is possible in California—but doing it successfully requires strategy, experience, and attention to detail.

How do I prove where someone lives?

Requirements vary by organization or jurisdiction, but accepted Proof of Address (PoA) documents generally include:

1. Utility bill.
2. Bank statement.
3. Tax bill.
4. Credit card bill.
5. Employment letter.
6. Tenancy agreement.

Can police check location history?

When your phone is in use, it communicates with nearby cell towers to establish a connection. By tracking these connections, the police can determine a general area where you've been. While this method isn't as precise as GPS, it provides a broad overview of your location history.

Is there a free way to find out where someone lives?

To find someone's address for free, use search engines with their name and location, check public records like county property tax sites or voter registration, look for clues on social media (friends' profiles, check-ins), and try free people search sites like FastPeopleSearch or TruePeopleSearch, cross-referencing information from multiple sources for accuracy. 

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
 

Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate. 

What is the B word for lawyer?

The "B word" for a lawyer, especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries, is Barrister, which refers to a specialist lawyer who argues cases in higher courts, distinct from a solicitor, though other terms like Attorney, Counsel, or even the pejorative "ambulance chaser" can be used, while "Esquire" (Esq.) is a title for any licensed lawyer in the U.S. 

How much will I get from a $25,000 settlement?

From a $25,000 settlement, you'll likely get significantly less than the full amount, often around $8,000 to $12,000, after attorney fees (typically 33-40%), case costs (filing fees, records), and medical bills/liens are paid, with the exact amount depending on how much your lawyer charges and the total medical expenses you owe. 

Is it worth suing someone for $500?

Suing for $500 can be "worth it" in small claims court, which is designed for smaller disputes and usually doesn't require a lawyer, but you must weigh filing/service fees (can be $20-$200+) and the opportunity cost of your time (prep, court) against the potential recovery; if your costs approach $500, it's often not financially sensible, but it might be worth it for principle or if the other party pays easily, says. 

What is the most common thing people get sued for?

The most common things people sue for fall into categories like personal injury (especially car accidents), contract disputes, and property disputes, often stemming from negligence, failure to meet obligations, or harm caused by another's actions or faulty products, with workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and employment issues also being frequent.