What document must be filed with the clerk of the trial court for a case to proceed?

The document that must be filed with the clerk of the trial court for a case to proceed is the Plaintiff's Complaint or Petition. This document serves as the formal initiation of a lawsuit and outlines the plaintiff's claims against the defendant, the legal basis for the claim, and the specific relief sought from the court. Filing this document is crucial because it not only provides notice to the defendant about the nature of the claims but also sets the legal process in motion.

In a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff’s complaint is the foundational document that informs both the court and the defendant of the issues at hand. Without this initial filing, the court does not have the authority to begin its proceedings or to issue summonses to the defendant, making it essential for the case to advance.

Other documents, such as a Defendant's Answer, an Affidavit, or a Discovery Request, play important roles within the litigation process but do not initiate the case themselves. The Defendant’s Answer responds to the allegations made in the Plaintiff's Complaint, while an Affidavit provides sworn statements for various procedural needs. Discovery Requests are used later to obtain information from the opposing party but are not required to start the case. Hence, the Plaintiff's Complaint or Petition is essential for the case to