Before you file, make the case airtight
A dismissed eviction costs months and thousands — Rocket Lawyer legal plans (40% off through our link) include attorney help with landlord-tenant filings.
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| Court filing fees + process service | |
| Attorney fees (estimate) | |
| Lost rent during process & re-rent | |
| Carrying costs during process & re-rent | |
| Turnover / repair reserve | |
| Total estimated eviction cost | |
Fine print: filing fees and timelines are approximate averages and vary by county and case. Contested evictions with appeals can cost far more. A money judgment is only worth something if the tenant has wages or assets to garnish — most landlords never collect back rent. Cash-for-keys agreements must be in writing: keys, vacant unit, signed move-out date.