Complaint

A lawsuit is initiated by filing and serving a Complaint. The Complaint states the legal claims and supporting facts that give rise to the lawsuit. The Complaint is a pleading, per Rule 1.100. The person that files the Complaint is called the Plaintiff. The person being sued is called the Defendant.

A pleading is proper, per Rule 1.110 so long as it contains:


 * 1) A short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction depends
 * 2) A short and plain statement of the ultimate facts showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and
 * 3) A demand for judgment for the relief to which the pleader deems himself or herself entitled.

The Defendant may challenge the Complaint by filing a Motion to Dismiss or respond to the Complaint by filing an Answer.