If an opposing party files a petition, who is the petitioner?

Study for the Arizona Family Law and Paralegal Certification Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complemented by hints and explanations for each question. Prepare confidently for your exam!

In this context, the person who starts the case by filing the petition is the petitioner. The petition is the document that initiates the lawsuit or motion and states what relief or outcome is being sought. The party who brings that filing to the court is labeled the petitioner, while the other side who must respond to it is the respondent. A clerk handles processing of filings but is not a party to the case, and a witness is someone who testifies and also is not a party. So when the opposing party files the petition, that party is the petitioner.