What must be accomplished within 30 days of filing a complaint?

The requirement to serve process within 30 days of filing a complaint is a crucial procedural step in civil litigation. Once a complaint is filed in court, the plaintiff must ensure that the defendant receives proper notice of the lawsuit. This is achieved through serving process, which typically involves delivering a copy of the complaint and a summons to the defendant.

This requirement is outlined in the rules governing civil procedure, emphasizing the importance of notifying the defendant so that they can respond to the allegations within a legally defined time frame. If the plaintiff fails to serve process within this 30-day period, the court may dismiss the case or the plaintiff may be required to obtain a new summons and serve process again, which can lead to delays and additional costs.

In contrast, the remaining options, such as filing a motion to dismiss, collecting evidence, or filing for a change of venue, do not have the same 30-day deadline following the filing of a complaint. For instance, a motion to dismiss can be filed at any time before the defendant answers the complaint, collecting evidence is typically an ongoing process during the discovery phase, and filing for a change of venue can be subject to different timelines based on jurisdictional considerations. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the specific and time-sensitive