What document initiates a civil lawsuit by requesting financial relief?

• A. Petition
• B. Claim
• C. Complaint
• D. Filing

Answer: (C)

The correct choice, which is the complaint, is fundamental in the civil litigation process. A complaint serves as the formal document that initiates a civil lawsuit by outlining the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant and the financial relief being sought. It details the parties involved, the factual background of the case, the legal basis for the claims made, and the specific remedies requested.

When a complaint is filed with the court, it alerts the defendant that legal action has commenced against them. The defendant will then have the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The complaint is essential because it sets the parameters of the dispute, identifies the issues at hand, and allows the court to understand the claims being made.

In contrast, a petition is typically associated with specific types of civil proceedings, such as family law matters or certain administrative actions, rather than general civil litigation. A claim refers to an assertion of a legal right, which can be a component of a complaint but does not itself initiate a lawsuit. The term filing is more of an action (submitting a document to the court) rather than a specific type of document that initiates the legal process. Thus, the complaint is the appropriate document that serves the role of initiating a civil lawsuit and requesting financial relief.