STEP 1: USING BLACK INK ONLY, Fill out the "Civil Cover Sheet. " ▫ Write in "Maricopa" as the county."Retention period" means the period of time during which records must be kept before they may be disposed of, usually a period of years and sometimes contingent. That case simply dealt with the question of whether an actual controversy had arisen in the context of the federal Declaratory Judgment Act (28 U.S.C. § 400). Pending before the Court is the Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief filed. What the plaintiff wants the court to order, and identifies each defendant. ▫. Be sure to check the statute of limitations for your type of case. The existence of another adequate remedy does not preclude a judgment for declaratory relief in cases where it is appropriate. Time limits in civil actions begin from the date the events that created the legal action occurred. These apply to small claims and civil suits.