Section 25-11.—Order of Pleadings
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
Full Text of Section 25-11
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998.)
Plain-English Summary
Family pleadings run in a set sequence, and this section lists it: the plaintiff’s complaint; the defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint; the defendant’s motion to strike the complaint or claims for relief; the defendant’s answer, cross complaint and claims for relief; the plaintiff’s motion to strike the defendant’s answer, cross complaint or claims for relief; and the plaintiff’s answer.
The order matters beyond tidiness. Section 25-12 waives certain jurisdictional grounds if a motion to dismiss is not raised in this sequence and within its time limit, so a defendant who answers first has given up the arguments that come earlier in the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the order of pleadings in a Connecticut family case?
The plaintiff’s complaint; the defendant’s motion to dismiss; the defendant’s motion to strike; the defendant’s answer, cross complaint and claims for relief; the plaintiff’s motion to strike; and the plaintiff’s answer.
Why does the sequence matter?
Because a claim that must be raised by a motion to dismiss is waived if it is not raised in this sequence and within the time Section 25-12 allows.