Amended Pleading

A changed written pleading in a lawsuit, including complaint or answer to a complaint. Pleadings are amended for various reasons, including correcting facts, adding causes of action (legal reasons for filing the lawsuit), adding affirmative defenses, or responding to a court's finding that a pleading is inadequate as a matter of law. Amendments can only be made prior to being served, upon stipulation by the parties, or order of the court.