| name | breach-purchase-complaint |
| language | en |
| description | Drafts a state-court complaint for breach of a real property purchase agreement. Triggers when the user needs to initiate a lawsuit for breach of a real estate purchase contract, purchase agreement breach, or buyer/seller contract dispute. Covers caption, jurisdiction/venue, party allegations, chronological facts, contract elements, damages, and prayer for relief. |
| tags | ["drafting","litigation","pleading"] |
Complaint for Breach of Purchase Agreement
Generates a filing-ready complaint alleging breach of a real property purchase agreement with jurisdiction-specific formatting and element-driven pleading.
Prerequisites
Collect before drafting:
- Executed purchase agreement — all addenda, amendments, exhibits
- Party details — full legal names, entity types, formation states, registered agents, addresses
- Breach documentation — correspondence, notices, cure demands, performance timeline
- Damages evidence — closing costs, market values, mitigation expenses, consequential losses
- Court/jurisdiction — target court, local rules, formatting requirements
Workflow
1. Caption
Include court name (division/department), blank case number, full party names with entity designations, and title "COMPLAINT FOR BREACH OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT." Format per local rules.
2. Jurisdiction & Venue
- State subject-matter jurisdiction basis (amount in controversy or statutory grant)
- Address any forum-selection or choice-of-law clauses in the agreement
- Tie venue to property location, contract execution location, or defendant's residence/principal place of business
- Cite jurisdictional statute (long-arm if applicable)
3. Parties
Allege for each party: full legal name, address, entity type and formation state (if applicable), role in the agreement (buyer/seller/assignee), and any DBAs. For entity defendants, include registered agent.
4. Factual Allegations
Structure as numbered paragraphs in chronological order:
- Formation — execution date, property (address, APN, legal description), price, payment terms
- Material terms — contingencies, closing date, inspection periods, financing, special provisions
- Plaintiff's performance — obligations met, payments made, conditions satisfied (dates and amounts)
- Defendant's breach — specific unperformed obligations, breach date, notice given, cure opportunity
- Post-breach — communications, failed cure, mitigation efforts
Quote exact contract language for breached provisions. Use specific dates, amounts, and document references.
5. Cause of Action
Plead each element with cross-references to factual paragraphs:
| Element | Allegation |
|---|
| Valid contract | Mutual assent, consideration, capacity, lawful object |
| Plaintiff's performance | Conditions precedent performed or excused |
| Defendant's breach | Specific provisions violated, manner of breach |
| Causation | Breach directly and proximately caused damages |
| Damages | Categories and amounts |
Cite the governing state's elements standard [VERIFY citation for target jurisdiction].
6. Damages
| Category | Calculation |
|---|
| Direct/expectation | Contract price vs. market value differential |
| Consequential | Foreseeable losses at time of contracting |
| Incidental | Inspection fees, appraisals, interim housing, storage |
| Mitigation costs | Actual expenses of reasonable mitigation |
- Check for liquidated damages clauses or damage caps in the agreement
- If earnest money at issue, state amount and current holder
- Use specific amounts or "according to proof at trial" per local practice
7. Prayer for Relief
Request each applicable remedy:
- Compensatory damages (stated amount or according to proof)
- Specific performance (if property unique and money damages inadequate)
- Pre- and post-judgment interest at statutory rate
- Attorney's fees — cite contract fee-shifting clause or statute
- Costs of suit
- Catch-all: "such other relief as the court deems just and proper"
Note: some jurisdictions require ad damnum amounts; others prohibit them. Conform to local rules.
8. Verification & Signature
- Verification under penalty of perjury by plaintiff or authorized representative [VERIFY: notarization vs. unsworn declaration for target state]
- Signature block: attorney name, bar number, firm, address, phone, email, party represented
Pitfalls
- Fraud creep — do NOT allege fraud elements unless specifically instructed; keep the theory clean contract breach
- Settlement references — do NOT include settlement communications or FRE 408 / state-equivalent protected material
- Entity defendants — verify active status with Secretary of State before naming
- Doe defendants — include only if jurisdiction permits
- Jury demand — include in complaint if desired; some jurisdictions require it at this stage
- Exhibits — attach the purchase agreement and key correspondence; reference by exhibit letter
- E-filing — confirm format, size, and naming requirements before submission
