Filing & Pleadings
Filing a Complaint
The document that starts a case — what it must contain and how to structure it.
Local rules vary: Many courts require a specific complaint form or caption format. Check your court's local rules and approved forms before drafting.
What a complaint is
A complaint (sometimes a petition) is the document that starts a case. It tells the court who you are, who you're suing, what happened, and what you want the court to do.
The parts of a complaint
- Caption — the court name, the parties, and a case number placeholder.
- Jurisdiction and venue — why this court can hear the case.
- Factual allegations — the story, usually in numbered paragraphs, one fact per paragraph.
- Claims or counts — the legal basis for each thing you're asking for.
- Prayer for relief — exactly what you want the court to award.
- Signature and date — and sometimes a sworn verification.
Keep it clear and specific
Vague complaints get challenged. State who did what, when, where, and how you were harmed. Number your paragraphs so the other side can respond to each one.
Attach what helps
Attach key documents as exhibits and refer to them in your paragraphs — but don't attach everything; only what the court needs to understand the claim.
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