Get WA Pro Se Guide 2021-2024

Summons and Complaint – Two separate documents that go together to start a civil lawsuit.

In Washington, you personally serve papers by having someone 18 or older and of sound mind deliver them to the recipient. The person effecting service cannot be you. It doesn't need to be a professional process server though. For example, a friend can do it.

Pleadings. Each party in a lawsuit files initial papers, known as “pleadings.” The pleadings explain each party's side of the dispute. The Complaint: Litigation begins when the plaintiff files a complaint with the court and formally delivers a copy to the defendant.

The first document that you must write is called a COMPLAINT - (Attachment 1). The function of the COMPLAINT is to tell the Court and defendant the reason for filing the lawsuit and what relief you desire.

A lawsuit begins when the person bringing the suit files a complaint. This first step begins what is known as the pleadings stage of the suit. Pleadings are certain formal documents filed with the court that state the parties' basic positions. Common pre-trial pleadings include: Complaint (or petition or bill).

Complaint/Petition Usually the first document filed in a lawsuit is the Complaint (or Petition), which provides an outline of the plaintiff's (petitioner's) case against the defendant (respondent).

In Washington, you must always try to have the other party personally served. If you absolutely cannot have them served this way, you can ask court permission to serve them by mail or publication.

The term “pro per” is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “in propria persona,” meaning “in their own person,” and it refers to a situation where a litigant represents themselves, without a lawyer. Pro per is synonymous with the more commonly used term pro se.