§ 431 Use of affidavit.

An affidavit is a written statement you sign under oath, and courts allow it to be used in several specific situations. You can use one to confirm that the facts in your pleading (like a petition or complaint) are true. You can also use one to prove that someone was properly served with a summons, notice, or other legal document.

Affidavits also come up when a party wants a provisional remedy, such as a temporary order or emergency relief before the case is fully resolved. They can support a request to question a witness outside of a regular hearing, or to pause the proceedings for a period of time. Courts also allow affidavits with motions, or in any other situation where the law says one can be used.

The main point of this rule is that affidavits are a flexible tool. Instead of always needing live testimony, a signed sworn statement can often get the job done for these specific court purposes.