The plaintiff’s petition or complaint is the document filed with the court and delivered to the defendant (served) that initiates a lawsuit and puts the defendant on notice of the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant and the relief the plaintiff is asking the court to award (usually money or injunctive relief).
In Texas, the plaintiff's petition, also known as a complaint in other jurisdictions, is the initial legal document filed with a court to start a lawsuit. This document outlines the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant, the factual basis for the claims, and the specific relief or damages the plaintiff is seeking. The petition must comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the form, content, and procedure for filing. Once the petition is filed, it must be properly served on the defendant, which provides the defendant with legal notice of the lawsuit and an opportunity to respond. Service of process must be carried out in accordance with the rules, which may include personal delivery by a process server, certified mail, or other methods permitted by law. The defendant then has a specific period of time, typically 20 days after service, to file an answer or other responsive pleading to the plaintiff's petition.
