Hello, my name is Cynthia. I am currently being evicted. I filed my answer with the courts already. I just need adive or help so I can win in court. Has anyone been through this lately or is going through this right now? Please respond, or comment below
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Hi Cynthia, so sorry to hear this is happening. I’m an attorney in Texas and I’ve done some eviction defense, but I can’t give you legal advice. Every state is different, but you should be able to find some self-help information through your state’s legal aid website. You may have already done this. You can also try finding an attorney through legal aid for a free consult or possibly representation. I know that legal aid firms are swamped though. Best wishes to you!
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Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate it.
Hi Cynthia,
Have you found a tenants’ rights organization where you live? They are a really good resource for getting help and meeting other people who are facing eviction. Some of them conduct virtual seminars where attorneys explain what happens in court, and how you can prepare. There are opportunities at these meetings to ask questions, and you may even get free legal advice from an attorney. These resources can be invaluable. I know that this process is stressful. My question to you is: What do you want the outcome to be? Do you want to stay? Do you need overdue rent to be forgiven?
One thing that you should know is that almost all cases are settled without a trial, and many of those settlements are negotiated in the courthouse. When negotiating with the landlord’s attorney, don’t just accept what they offer. Tell them YOUR terms. Tell them everything that you require. You can negotiate more strategically if you know what the landlord wants. Don’t assume that you have to pay, that you have to leave, etc.
If you want to go to trial, learn your state’s guidelines for submitting evidence. Your landlord’s attorney will probably mail you some discovery documents that ask you to share the evidence that you intend to present in court. This mailing might also include an admission statement, in which they try to throw out the claims you made in your answer. Send your reply before the due date. If you don’t have all your evidence ready (such as payment receipts or print-outs of emails and text messages), you can submit more evidence later, but it’s important to reply to the admission statement as soon as possible.
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Hi Cynthia! Are you in California? Can you reach out to tenantpower@debtcollective.org via email? They can connect you with some tenant unions to support you!
Yes I am in california. In los angeles area near dtla.
Thank you for the great information I really appreciate it. My court date is coming up and it says no. Jury trial 
I been reaching out to the law firm that stayhoused sent me too but unfortunately they are out of the office until the 29th.