affidavit of merit

An affidavit of merit is a formal sworn statement filed with a lawsuit by the plaintiff’s attorney. It confirms that the claim has legal grounds and that expert opinions support the case. Essentially, it demonstrates that the lawsuit isn’t filed frivolously, and there is a reasonable basis to pursue the claim. Many jurisdictions require this document early in a legal case to prevent baseless lawsuits from moving forward. It helps ensure that the case has proper foundation and is supported by qualified opinions before proceeding further through the legal process.