Illinois First Amended Complaint regarding Collection of Attorneys Fees

Citations If an amendment adds a new party defendant, an amended or new summons naming that party as a defendant must be issued and served upon the new defendant, since no jurisdiction would be obtained by serving him with a copy of the summons that does not name him.

(e) (1) In response to a demurrer and prior to the case being at issue, a complaint or cross-complaint shall not be amended more than three times, absent an offer to the trial court as to such additional facts to be pleaded that there is a reasonable possibility the defect can be cured to state a cause of action.

A defendant may respond in an answer that admits or denies each of the plaintiff's allegations in the complaint. The answer will list defenses and counter-claims or cross-claims against the plaintiff or other defendants. The answer will state whether the defendant wants a jury trial. The case will then continue.

A party shall plead in response to an amended pleading within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 10 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever period may be the longer, unless the court otherwise orders. (b) Amendments to Conform to the Evidence.

Once a defendant has answered, a first amended complaint can only be filed and served with leave of court. If the plaintiff did not get the court's permission, it is not deemed a valid first amended complaint.

App. 352 251 P. 959, holds that when the original summons has been returned and filed, the clerk of the court has the power and the duty to issue an amended summons on the filing of an amended complaint which names a new party defendant.

Since the parties are the same, you do not need an amended summons. Same for doe defendants once you ascertain their names. If your amended complaint has new names in the caption, then you want an amended summons, too.

If you go to court, the judge will tell you when you need to file your Answer. It will usually be 10 days from your court date. In lawsuits for more than $50,000, the Summons will state that you must file an appearance within 30 days after the day you are served.

A motion to amend a complaint is a request to the court to change the original court filing documents. It means to change the basis for the case in some way. A motion to amend a complaint is the formal way of asking the court for permission to change the original complaint.