After a petition is filed with the court clerk, what happens next?

• A. The defendant is served with a citation.
• B. The plaintiff is required to post a bond.
• C. The court issues a preliminary injunction.
• D. The clerk merges the case.

Answer: (A)

The essential step after filing a petition is to give the defendant official notice. This is done by serving the defendant with a citation (often called a summons) along with a copy of the petition. Service starts the clock for the defendant’s required response and allows the court to obtain jurisdiction over the person. The clerk handles opening the case and issuing the process, but the actual delivery of the papers is carried out by a sheriff or process server on or after filing.

Posting a bond, issuing a preliminary injunction, or merging cases are not automatic steps after filing. A bond may be required in certain situations, but not simply by filing the petition. A preliminary injunction is a separate remedy that requires its own motion and proof. Merging cases is a different procedure and not the immediate next step.