EQUITY COMPLAINT

DOCKET NO.

Trial Court of Massachusetts
Juvenile Court Department

EQUITY COMPLAINT FOR

   PART I.
   Plaintiff(s)' Name:

   PART II.
   Defendant(s)' Name:

   Plaintiff(s)' address and telephone number:

   Defendant(s)' address and telephone number:

Home No.

Work No.

Defendant(s) has/have an Agent.  (Complete box below)

   Plaintiff(s)' Attorney or Agent:

   Name, address and telephone number of the Defendant(s)'

Home No.

Agent:

Telephone No.

Telephone No.

   PART III.
   Plaintiff(s)' Claim (See instructions):  List event(s) with date(s) that form the basis for your claim.

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Date:

Signature(s) of Plaintiff(s):

JV-26  (07/17/2012)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING AN EQUITY COMPLAINT

COMPLAINT:  Type or print the complaint.

PART  I:    You  are  the  Plaintiff(s),  or  the  person(s)  asking  the  court  to  order  the  Defendant(s)  to  do
something.  For example, you may be asking the court to enforce a post-adoption contact agreement.

PARTII:  Information regarding the Defendant(s):  Provide the name(s), address, and telephone number
of  the  Defendant(s)  if  you  know.    You  may  not  have  the  Defendant(s)'  full  name(s)  if  this  complaint
involves  a  post-adoption  agreement.    If  you  do  not  know  the  name(s)  of  the  Defendant(s)  leave  this
section  blank.    The  Defendant(s)  should  have  provided  you  with  the  name  and  address  of  the  Agent
responsible  for  receiving  service  and  notices  at  the  time  the  agreement  was  signed.    In  that  case,
provide the name, address, and telephone number of the Agent.  (You can find the Agent's name in the
post-adoption agreement.)

PART III:  Briefly describe why the court should take the action you are requesting.  For example, why
you  are  seeking  enforcement  of  the  post-adoption  contact  agreement.    State  your  claim  clearly  so  the
Defendant(s) can understand why you are filing this complaint.  Sign your name at the bottom and date
the complaint.

Do I need an attorney?  You are not required to bring an attorney to the hearing, but you may do so if
you wish.  By law, the court cannot appoint an attorney for you even if you cannot afford one.

Post-adoption  Contact  Agreements:    If  you  are  seeking  enforcement  of  a  post-adoption  contact
agreement, attach a copy of the post-adoption contact agreement.  Return the complaint and a copy of
the  post-adoption  contact  agreement  to  the  Clerk-Magistrate's  office  of  the  court  where  you  are  filing
your case.  You may bring or mail the completed form to the Clerk-Magistrate's office.

Notice to the Defendant:   Once the Clerk-Magistrate receives the completed form, the court will set a
date for you and the  Defendant(s)  to appear  in court for a hearing.   The following  documents  must be
mailed to the Defendant(s) by certified mail, return receipt requested in accordance with order of service:
(The envelope and green certified card will be provided by the court.)

       1) The Defendant(s)' copy of the Complaint
       2) Copy of the post-adoption contact agreement (if applicable)
       3) Defendant(s)' Answer form
       4) Order of Notice

Take the certified mail receipt, green card, and the envelope containing the above documents to the post
office for mailing.

Defendant(s)' Answer:  After the Defendant(s) receives your complaint he/she has twenty days to file
an answer with the court.  The Defendant(s) must also send you a copy of his/her answer.

What happens if you cannot come to court on the date of the hearing? Both parties must appear in
court on the date the case is scheduled for hearing.  If you cannot come to court on that date, contact the
clerk's office immediately upon receipt of your court date.  Do not wait until the last minute. If you fail to
appear for the hearing, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action.