Task: Identify Motion/Petition/Complaint

It is the first formal It contains information A procedural device to

action taken to officially about Parties, bring a limited, contested
begin a lawsuit Jurisdiction, Cause of issue before a court for
action, Injury and decision
Demand for relief.

The plaintiff must, as It is a request to the judge It is a legal document

soon as practicable (or judges) to make a formally requesting a
initiate a conference decision about the case court order and setting
between the parties to out the filing party's
plan for the rest of the version of the facts at
discovery process and issue.
then the parties should
submit a proposed
discovery plan to the
judge within 14 days
after the conference

It also may be used to They may include If used for an appeal, it

appeal a court's decision. requests to dismiss a outlines the reasons why
case, reduce alimony, etc a verdict should be
reviewed by an appellate
court

The defendant must The party requesting it is It is made against a

submit an answer within a movant. The party respondent
21 days after being opposing it is a
served nonmovant.
A formal legal document This written document The filing party is
that sets out the facts and contains the allegations required to serve advance
legal reasons (see: cause against the defense, the written notice along with
of action) that the filing specific laws violated, a written legal argument
party or parties (the the facts that led to the and a supporting factual
plaintiff(s)) believes are dispute, and any demands foundation to explain
sufficient to support a made by the plaintiff to why they are entitled to
claim against the party or restore justice the relief requested
parties against whom the
claim is brought (the
defendant(s)) that entitles
the plaintiff(s) to a
remedy (either money
damages or injunctive
relief)

MOTION PETITION COMPLAINT