Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions

(a) Pleadings. There shall be a complaint and an answer; and if the answer contains a counterclaim or offset or a plea of fraud, there shall be a reply thereto. There shall be such third-party pleadings as are permitted by Rule 14. No other pleading shall be allowed, except that the court may order a reply to an answer, or a responsive pleading to a third-party complaint or answer.

(b) Motions and Other Papers. (1) An application to the court for an order shall be by motion which, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be made in writing, shall state with particularity the grounds therefor, and shall set forth the relief or order sought, and shall comply with Appendix H. Any motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a brief or memorandum, and, if necessary, by supporting affidavits that shall be attached to the motion. Any motion may be accompanied by a proposed order.

(2) The rules applicable to captions, and other matters of form of pleadings apply to all motions and other papers provided for by these rules. See Rules 10(a), 82, 83.1.

(3) All motions shall be signed in accordance with Rule 11. See Rule 83.

(c) Demurrers, Pleas, Etc., Abolished. Demurrers, pleas, and exceptions for insufficiency of a pleading shall not be used.