How to prepare and present a winning civil court case. Many disputes are too big for small claims court but too small to justify a lawyer's fee. Fortunately, if you're willing to learn the courtroom ropes, you can successfully handle your own case from start to finish. Represent Yourself in Court breaks the pretrial and trial process down into easy-to-understand steps. Armed with these clear and thorough instructions, you'll be well prepared to: draft and file court papers; get help from an attorney or legal coach; obtain and prepare your evidence, including social media postings; handle depositions; line up, prepare, and examine witnesses; present an opening statement; make and respond to objections; pick a jury if necessary; and deal with the court clerk and judge. Whether you're a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you handle a bankruptcy, divorce, landlord-tenant dispute, breach of contract case, small business dispute--or any other civil lawsuit.

Going it alone in court -- The courthouse and the courtroom -- Starting your case -- Pretrial procedures -- Investigating your case -- Settlement -- Pretrial motions -- Proving your case at trial: the plaintiff's perspective -- Proving your case at trial: the defendant's perspective -- Selecting the decision maker -- Opening statement -- Direct examination -- Cross-examination -- Closing argument -- Exhibits -- Basic rules of evidence -- Making and responding to objections -- Organizing a trial notebook -- Expert witnesses -- When your trial ends: judgments and appeals -- Representing yourself in family court -- Representing yourself in bankruptcy court -- Help beyond the book: people, places, and publications.