What is a complaint?

A complaint is a document filed by a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit that states the facts of the case and the relief, or compensation, being sought from the defendant. In Virginia, the complaint must include the name of the plaintiff, the name of the defendant, the facts of the case, and the amount of relief requested. When the complaint is filed, it must be served to the defendant. This is usually done either by mail or through a process server. The defendant then has 21 days to respond to the complaint. If they fail to respond, the plaintiff can ask the court to enter a default judgment against the defendant and grant them the relief requested in the complaint. A complaint is the first step in a civil lawsuit. It is a formal document that describes the facts of the case and the relief being sought by the plaintiff. It is important for the plaintiff to ensure that the complaint is accurate and concise, as it will be used as the basis for the lawsuit.

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