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 Georgia, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a petition or complaint with the appropriate court. This document must adhere to the Georgia Civil Practice Act and the specific rules of procedure of the court where the lawsuit is being filed. The complaint should clearly state the legal claims against the defendant and the facts supporting those claims, providing the defendant with reasonable notice. Filing can often be done electronically through the court's e-filing system. Additionally, the plaintiff is required to pay a filing fee, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. Once the lawsuit is filed, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and a summons, typically done by a sheriff or a licensed process server, to officially notify the defendant of the legal action.