Forgot, you're not in the legal field....sorry. When someone files a PETITION (the petitioner, the plaintiff)....the other side (the respondent, the defendant) must file an ANSWER. In essence, the Answer usually denies the claims made in the petition. Often an answer contains what is called a CROSS-PETITION.....making contrary claims and/or demands (i.e., "Terri wants to starve to death" [yeah right], and "Don't invade Terri's privacy and liberty" [yeah right]).
FOX JUST SAID SUPREME COURT REFUSING TO TAKE CASE