Petition
A formal written request filed with a court asking it to take a specific action.
A petition is a formal document filed with a court that asks the court to do something. It is similar to a complaint in a civil lawsuit, but the term “petition” is used in specific types of cases.
In Minnesota, petitions are used to start proceedings such as:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Name changes
- Orders for Protection
- Guardianship or conservatorship
- Probate (handling a deceased person’s estate)
- Juvenile matters
- Commitment proceedings
The person who files the petition is called the petitioner. The other party is the respondent.
A petition typically explains the relevant facts, identifies the parties, states what law applies, and clearly describes what the petitioner is asking the court to do.
Example: A person who wants a divorce files a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” with the district court. The petition states the names of the spouses, confirms that residency requirements are met, and requests that the court divide property and establish custody arrangements.
When starting certain types of court cases, such as divorces, name changes, guardianships, or orders for protection.