What is a complaint?

A complaint is a document filed with the court by the person who is bringing the civil case, known as the plaintiff. The complaint is the document that sets up the case and states the facts of what the plaintiff believes happened, as well as what relief the plaintiff is asking for. When a complaint is filed in Indiana, it must contain certain required information, such as the name and address of the plaintiff and defendant, a statement of facts that describe why the plaintiff believes they are entitled to relief, and what relief the plaintiff is asking from the court. Complaints must also comply with the applicable state or federal rules and must be verified, which means the plaintiff must swear that the facts are true and correct. The complaint is the first step in initiating a civil lawsuit in the state of Indiana. Once the complaint is filed with the court, it will be served on the defendant, who will then have the opportunity to respond to the plaintiff’s claims or ask the court to dismiss the case. Depending on the specifics of the case, the defendant may also decide to file a counterclaim against the plaintiff. In short, a complaint is a document that is filed with the court by a plaintiff that outlines the facts of the case and what relief they are seeking from the court. It sets in motion the process of a civil lawsuit and is the foundation of the case.

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What is a complaint?

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