plaintiff's petition or complaint

The plaintiff’s petition or complaint is the document filed with the court and delivered to the defendant (served) that initiates a lawsuit and puts the defendant on notice of the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant and the relief the plaintiff is asking the court to award (usually money or injunctive relief).

In Michigan, the plaintiff's petition or complaint is the initial legal document filed with a court to start a civil lawsuit. This document outlines the plaintiff's legal claims against the defendant, the facts supporting those claims, and the type of relief or damages the plaintiff seeks. Once the complaint is filed, it must be formally delivered to (served upon) the defendant. This service of process provides the defendant with official notice of the lawsuit and the allegations against them, and it is typically required to be completed within 90 days after the complaint is filed. The defendant then has a specific time period, usually 21 days if served in Michigan or 28 days if served outside of Michigan, to file an answer or other response to the complaint. The rules governing the filing and service of the complaint are set forth in the Michigan Court Rules, and failure to follow these procedures can result in delays or dismissal of the lawsuit.

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Civil procedure