This resource hub is designed to help you approach civil legal matters. Whether you are handling a small claims dispute, responding to or distributing an eviction notice, filing for a name change, petitioning for guardianship or beyond, understanding your rights and responsibilities is crucial.
Find clear, easy-to-follow guides, court forms and step-by-step instructions for various civil law issues.
This page explains the process and provides links to the necessary forms to legally change an adult or minor child's first, middle, and/or last name in South Dakota.
Subpoenas are used to obtain information from people who are not involved in a case, such as business records. They are issued by the court with court-imposed deadlines.
Find all South Dakota forms and documents for landlords and tenants to help in initiating or responding to an eviction action. Access checklists, affidavits, motions, filing statements and more.
Small claims court is an informal court that allows people to sue for small losses of money or property. An individual can file and handle their own claim in court.
Whether you are a vulnerable adult, a victim of domestic violence or a victim of stalking, you may be entitled to a protection order in South Dakota. Learn more about how and get help filling out forms.
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides resources for individuals seeking to expunge their criminal records. Expungement involves sealing records related to a person's arrest, detention, trial, or disposition, effectively restoring the individual to the status occupied before the incident.
A Motion and Affidavit for an Order to Show Cause serves as a way of telling the court the opposing party has willfully violated a court order in a civil action and a request to have them appear to answer the allegation(s).
A Motion to Waive Filing Fee and Service of Process Fee is a request to not be charged for filing a case or having legal papers delivered. Learn about the process and forms to submit.
Court-ordered debt encompasses various financial obligations imposed by the court system such as costs, fines, fees, and restitution.
Consumer protection safeguards the public when they buy goods and services against unfair practices in the marketplace. This page provides consumer protection resources and links.
This page provides links for resources about emergency shelter and assistance, publicly subsidized housing, and housing discrimination.
Mediation helps resolve disputes voluntarily, saving time and money. It's informal, confidential, and often quicker than lawsuits, with both parties controlling outcomes.
Service or "serving" someone is communicating with the other party to issue papers and informing them about the lawsuit. Service can be done in person, by mail, or by a sheriff's office or private process server.
Downloadable general motion forms, including affidavits and notices, require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Forms must be printed single-sided and completed in black or blue ink.
Find information on fees related to court-appointed attorneys, payment options and additional resources that may be available.
Guardianship and/or conservatorship is a legal relationship that requires one or more parties to meet court-ordered reporting obligations and with meeting any requirements associated with modifying or terminating guardianship or conservatorship.
South Dakota state law allows a person to proceed with an involuntary commitment for the treatment of another person with a serious mental illness.
South Dakota state law allows a person to proceed with an involuntary commitment for the treatment of another person who has a substance abuse disorder.