Arizona Process Server Practice Exam

What type of document begins the process of litigation?

1. Order to Show Cause

2. Complaint/Petition

3. Affidavit

4. Writ of Execution

The correct answer is: Complaint/Petition

The correct answer, which is the Complaint or Petition, initiates the litigation process by formally laying out the plaintiff's case against the defendant. This document outlines the claims being made, the basis for the court's jurisdiction, and the relief or remedy sought by the plaintiff. It serves as a foundational element in civil procedures, prompting the defendant to respond and thus moving the case forward within the court system. Seeking context, while other documents such as an Order to Show Cause may require a party to appear in court or provide reasons for not complying with a request, it does not start the litigation. An Affidavit is a sworn statement used to provide evidence in court but does not file or commence a lawsuit. A Writ of Execution is a court order to enforce a judgment that has already been rendered; it follows a completed litigation process rather than starting one. Hence, the Complaint or Petition is the crucial document that officially starts the legal proceedings.