Form, Captioning, Signing, and Verifying of Documents

(A) Applicability. The form, captioning, signing, and verifying of all documents are prescribed in MCR 1.109(D) and (E). (B) Paragraphs; Separate Statements. (1) All allegations must be made in numbered paragraphs, and the paragraphs of a responsive pleading must be numbered to correspond to the numbers of the paragraphs being answered. Chapter 2. Civil Procedure Page 52 Chapter Updated May 1, 2026 (2) The content of each paragraph must be limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances. (3) Each statement of a claim for relief founded on a single transaction or occurrence or on separate transactions or occurrences, and each defense other than a denial, must be stated in a separately numbered count or defense. (C) Written Instruments. (1) If a claim or defense is based on a written instrument, a copy of the instrument or its pertinent parts must be attached to the pleading and labeled according to standards established by the State Court Administrative Office unless the instrument is (a) a matter of public record in the county in which the action is commenced and its location in the record is stated in the pleading; (b) in the possession of the adverse party and the pleading so states; (c) inaccessible to the pleader and the pleading so states, giving the reason; or (d) of a nature that attaching the instrument would be unnecessary or impractical and the pleading so states, giving the reason. (2) An attachment or reference to an attachment under subrule (C)(1)(a) or (b) is a part of the pleading for all purposes. (D) Adoption by Reference. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference only in another part of the same pleading.