North Carolina Summons in a Civil Action-AO 440 is a legal document used to initiate a lawsuit in North Carolina. It is a type of court summons issued by a clerk of court in the state and is served on the defendant in the case. The summons outlines the plaintiff’s legal claim, informs the defendant of their right to respond, and sets the date for the next hearing. There are two types of North Carolina Summons in a Civil Action-AO 440: a “Summons and Complaint” and a “Summons and Notice.” The “Summons and Complaint” includes a copy of the plaintiff’s complaint that outlines the allegations made against the defendant. The “Summons and Notice” informs the defendant of the lawsuit and provides instructions on how to respond to the summons. Both types of North Carolina Summons in a Civil Action-AO 440 require the defendant to appear in court on the date set forth in the summons.