Legal Question in Personal Injury in Texas
How can I verify a lawsuit exists?
My untrustworthy in-law claims he has been going to court and is due a settlement on a specific date this month. Is there a free search engine online or another way I can verify if he is really involved in a lawsuit?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: How can I verify a lawsuit exists?
A nationwide name search can be made on Westlaw or Lexis. Nationwide searches cost me a lot of money. Did he say where he has this lawsuit - federal court, state court? What district? What county? You could call the district clerk's office and see if they would search for you. Some offices charge about $5-$8 for this search.
Re: How can I verify a lawsuit exists?
Many, if not most, claims are settled before a lawsuit is filed.
If the suit arose out of an accident such as a vehicle collision and if a suit has been filed, it is quite likely that the suit was filed in the county where the accident occurred.
You did not not say how much was involved. If $5,000 or less (Texas), the case could have been filed in Small Claims Court (handled by the Justice of Peace). Above that (depending upon the amount of the claim) it may have been filed in county court, a county court at law, or a district court. If you check with the offices of the county clerk and district clerk, you can get this information. You may not be able to get this information by telephone and will have to go to the clerk's office to find out. In the larger counties, searches can be made at the courthouse on computers available for the general public. Ordinarily such searches can be conducted under the last name of the plaintiff, the defendant, or both.