Petition

From LegalLanding

A petition is a formal written request to a court for a court order. It is different from a complaint in a lawsuit, which asks for damages and/or performance by the opposing party. Petitions include demands for writs, orders to show cause, modifications of prior orders, continuances, dismissal of a case, reduction of bail in criminal cases, a decree of distribution of an estate, appointment of a guardian, and many other types arising in legal actions.

In some states a suit for divorce is entitled a petition, and the parties are called petitioner and respondent.