You Got Served. Now What?

GOT COURT PAPERS?DON'T PANIC.GET COURT READY.

DIY Legal helps self-represented people understand court documents, organize deadlines, find legal information, prepare for court, and navigate the court system — with technology and human support when you need it.

I Got Served. Now What?Meet a Community Court Navigator

Know Where You Are. Know What's Next. Be Court Ready.

You Are Here

What Happens Next?

Follow the six steps every self-represented litigant walks through — from paperwork to hearing.

Start with my case

Step 1
You Are Here
Point to your place in the process.
Step 2
This Happened
Understand what just landed on your doorstep.
Step 3
Your Next Step
One clear action, not a legal lecture.
Step 4
Your Next Important Date
The deadline you cannot miss.
Step 5
What to Prepare
Documents, questions, and evidence to have ready.
Step 6
Be Court Ready
Walk in organized, respectful, and calm.

What do you need help with today?

Pick any card. You can change your mind anytime.

I got court papers

Paste them here for a plain-English summary.

Open

I have a court date

Build your prep checklist and timeline.

Open

I need to understand my case

Explain a document, notice, or order.

Open

I need to find a lawyer

Find legal aid and self-help centers near you.

Open

I want to learn about court

Short lessons in plain English.

Open

I need help organizing

Build a personal case timeline.

Open

I need to understand a legal term

Search 25+ legal words in plain English.

Open

I need to practice talking in court

Rehearse respectful, clear phrases.

Open

I want to search case opinions

AI overview + links to free case-law databases.

Open

I need a court fee waiver

Draft a fee-waiver application to print.

Open

I need to find a court resource

Illinois legal-aid and clerks directory.

Open

Something happened — what do I do next?

Common situations and next steps.

Open

Research the rule that applies

Get the statute, court rule, or case that answers your question — with the source cited.

Open

Build a court document draft

Timelines, motions, declarations, discovery — all labeled DRAFT.

Open

Meet with a Community Court Navigator

Book a 30-minute virtual session with a human navigator.

Open

Read the Court Ready book

Nina Watts' full Illinois civil-court guide — Court Ready+ members.

Open

Framework

P.A.T.H.S. Navigation

Purpose · Access · Trustworthy · Handoff · Steps

Who is who?

Courtroom roles

Judge · Clerk · Bailiff · Attorneys · You

Decision center

"What if..." questions

Common situations and next steps

DIYLegal.info provides general legal-literacy, educational, organizational, and resource-navigation information. It does not provide legal advice or representation.

Explain a document