Eviction Attorney in San Diego County and Throughout California

An eviction lawsuit in California is called an unlawful detainer. It moves faster than any other civil case. A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons generally has only 10 court days to file a response, and a missed deadline can mean a default judgment and a lockout by the sheriff.

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Germani Law handles unlawful detainer cases on both sides, from the first notice through trial and judgment.

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For Tenants Facing Eviction

Most eviction cases turn on technical requirements. The notice must be the right type, contain the right information, and be served the right way. Under the Tenant Protection Act and local ordinances such as San Diego’s, many landlords also need a legally valid “just cause” and must pay relocation assistance before ending a tenancy.

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A defense tests every step: the notice, service of the summons, the landlord’s standing, the stated cause, habitability, and retaliation.

 

Depending on the case, the goal may be dismissal, a win at trial, or a negotiated move-out with time, money, and a masked court record.

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For Landlords

A landlord’s unlawful detainer must be right from the first notice. A defective notice can force a landlord to start over and can expose the landlord to a fee award. Germani Law prepares notices, files and prosecutes unlawful detainer cases, and takes them to trial when needed.

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What to Bring

Bring the notice, the summons and complaint if you have them, the lease, and any texts or emails with the other side. If you were served court papers, contact us right away. The deadline is short.