Madgett LawMinneapolis · Minnesota

General Litigation

From minor disputes to major challenges — contract, real estate, insurance, employment, consumer, and estate litigation.

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From Minor Disputes to Major Challenges: We Handle It All

We’re not just lawyers; we’re your trusted partners in navigating the complexities of the legal system. We have a proven track record of success in a wide range of legal matters, and we’ll leverage our expertise to develop a personalized strategy that’s tailored to your unique situation and goals.

What is General Litigation?

General litigation encompasses a wide range of legal disputes that are not categorized as criminal or family law matters. These disputes can involve individuals, businesses, or government entities and can arise from various circumstances, including:

  • Breach of contract: When one party fails to fulfill their obligations under a contract, the other party may have legal recourse.
  • Real estate disputes: Disputes can arise between landlords and tenants, buyers and sellers, or neighbors concerning property rights and obligations.
  • Insurance claims: If an insurance company denies your claim, you may have legal options to pursue compensation.
  • Employment law: Disputes between employers and employees involving discrimination, wrongful termination, or unpaid wages can be addressed through general litigation.
  • Personal injury: Handled as its own practice — see Personal Injury for Minnesota’s comparative fault rule, the no-fault threshold, and the deadlines that govern an injury claim.
  • Family Law: We can provide guidance and representation in matters such as divorce, child custody, and property division.
  • Consumer Law: We will protect your rights against unfair business practices, deceptive advertising, and defective products.
  • Estate Litigation: We can assist with disputes over wills, trusts, and probate matters.

How We Can Help

Our team of skilled attorneys has extensive experience representing clients in a wide variety of general litigation matters. We offer comprehensive legal services, including:

  • Case evaluation: We will thoroughly evaluate your case and advise you of your legal options.
  • Pre-litigation negotiation: We will attempt to resolve your dispute through negotiation and mediation before resorting to litigation.
  • Discovery and investigation: We will gather evidence and depose witnesses to build a strong case on your behalf.
  • Trial preparation: We will prepare you for trial and present your case to the court in a compelling and persuasive manner.
  • Appeals: If necessary, we will represent you in the appellate process to ensure your rights are protected.

Common questions

How much does it cost to sue someone in Minnesota?

The filing fee is the smallest part of it; the real cost is the work between filing and resolution. That varies enormously with how hard the other side fights and how much discovery a case needs. We give a realistic range at the outset, revisit it when something changes, and will tell you when a case has stopped making economic sense.

How long does a civil lawsuit take in Minnesota?

Many disputes resolve in months through negotiation or mediation. A case that goes through discovery, motions, and trial commonly takes a year or more, and appeals add to that. The honest answer for any particular dispute depends on the court, the complexity, and whether the other side has a reason to delay.

Should I try mediation before filing a lawsuit?

Frequently, yes — it is faster and cheaper, and it keeps the outcome in your hands rather than a judge's or jury's. But mediation works best when both sides see real risk in not settling, which usually means your position has to be developed enough to be credible. Going in unprepared tends to produce a bad number, not a fast one.

What is the deadline to bring a civil claim in Minnesota?

It depends entirely on the type of claim, and Minnesota's limitation periods differ sharply between contract, property, injury, consumer, and statutory claims. Some deadlines run from the date of the wrong and others from when you discovered it. This is worth confirming early, because a missed deadline ends a case regardless of its merits.

What should I do before I talk to a lawyer about a dispute?

Gather the documents — contracts, emails, texts, invoices, photographs, and anything you signed — and write down the sequence of events while it is fresh. Stop discussing the dispute with the other side in writing until you have advice. Preserve everything, including messages that are unhelpful to you; the surprise ones are the ones that damage cases later.

Also under “I'm in a dispute”

Business LitigationMinneapolis business litigation attorney for contract disputes, business torts, and shareholder & partnership conflicts across Minnesota. Message us for a free consultation.