Lawsuits are sometimes the only way to make a misdeed or injury right. If you have been the victim of wrongdoing, you may need to know how to sue somone. Many of the details will depend on where you are and what kind of courts govern your city, county, and state. However, these three steps will get you started.

1. Establish Why You’re Suing

First, you’ll need to identify the wrong that was committed against you, and name a defendant. This might be an individual person, a group of people, or even a business or corporation. Make sure it’s something for which you can actually sue. You don’t want to waste time and resources bringing a lawsuit against someone if you have no grounds.

2. Decide if You Need Legal Help

Your lawsuit may be something simple that can be handled in small claims court or even mediated and resolved outside of court. However, it’s always helpful to consult with an attorney when you’re dealing with any legal matters. Suing someone is serious, and you want to make sure you are on solid legal ground. Look for an attorney who can provide a free or low-cost consultation so you know what your chances are, and whether you can handle bringing the suit to court on your own.

3. Go to Court

Once you’ve done all the preparations, you can go to the court and file your claim. Each court is different. In some places, you can begin a lawsuit online. In other places, you’ll need to show up at the courthouse and fill out a lot of paperwork. There may be a fee. Once your defendant is served and a court date is set, it’s your opportunity to share your grievance and have it resolved.

There are many reasons to sue someone, and if you’re sure of what you’re doing and ready to get your justice, go ahead and file the lawsuit. But, if you’re not sure how to sue someone or you have questions about the process, talk to a legal expert. Making even a small mistake can get your case thrown out.