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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit (often called a plaintiff’s petition or complaint) generally requires the plaintiff to file a document (often electronically) in the general form required by the rules of procedure in the applicable state or federal court system, and to pay a filing fee. The petition or complaint must give the defendant (person or entity being sued) reasonable notice of the legal claims asserted and the factual basis for those claims.

In Colorado, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a petition or complaint with the appropriate court. This document must adhere to the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the required format and content. The complaint should provide the defendant with reasonable notice of the legal claims and the factual basis for those claims. This ensures that the defendant is informed of the nature of the lawsuit and the reasons behind it. Filing a lawsuit typically requires payment of a filing fee, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. In some instances, plaintiffs may file electronically through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system. After filing, the plaintiff must also ensure that the defendant is properly served with a copy of the complaint and a summons, which informs the defendant of the need to respond to the lawsuit within a specified time frame.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Colorado State Code

Colorado State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Articles