George Simons | June 29, 2023
Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.
Edited by Hannah Locklear
Summary: Sued for debt? Each state has specific requirements for responding to a debt lawsuit, but there are certain steps that are universal. For example, you should respond to each individual claim against you, assert your affirmative defenses, and file the Answer before your state's deadline. Here's our 50-state guide on how to respond and win in court. Use SoloSuit to respond in just 15 minutes.
Don't just roll over and take it. Fight back.
We want to help you win your debt collection lawsuit, not pay money that you don't owe, and protect your wages from garnishment. That's why we put together this guide for how to answer a summons for debt collection in all 50 states. Don't like reading? Check out this video:
Debt collection lawsuits are difficult to navigate, partly because the relevant laws change from state to state. So we've compiled the most relevant information for each all in one spot. Now you don't have to crawl your state courts' website looking for this information, because, trust me, it's a nightmare.
For each state, we provide the following:
Some states don't have answer forms so we've linked to other helpful forms and tidbits where we can.
Also, we should mention this: SoloSuit can do all of this for you.
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.
How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts, or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.
"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James
Get StartedA debt lawsuit begins when you receive a Summons and Complaint. The Summons tells you that you're being sued. The Complaint tells you why you're being sued. In some states these documents are a little different or are called different names. In some states, like Texas, they're called a Citation and Petition. Here is what they look like:
To respond to a debt lawsuit, you need to take three steps. SoloSuit walks you through these steps.
The Complaint includes several numbered paragraphs that lay out the lawsuit against you. For debt collection cases, there are usually between 10 and 30 numbered paragraphs. Read each paragraph and decide how you want to respond. You should respond in one of three ways:
Choose one of these responses and write it into your Answer after the corresponding paragraph number.
Many attorneys recommend denying everything to force the other side to prove everything. This is a good strategy in many cases.
An “affirmative defense” is a reason why the person suing you doesn't have a case; it is your defense against the lawsuit. You must list these defenses in your Answer otherwise, you can't bring them up later. That's right, asserting your affirmative defenses is a once in a lifetime opportunity: if you don't bring them up now, you are legally prohibited from bringing them up later. Many online forms don't help you assert your affirmative defenses, SoloSuit does.
Here are some of the more common defenses we see:
These are a few of the many affirmative defenses. Being unable to pay the debt is not normally a legal defense to the debt.
Once you have created your Answer, responded to the paragraphs in the Complaint, and asserted your affirmative defenses, you are ready for the final step: file your Answer. The Answer document by itself is worthless unless you file it properly. Otherwise, it's like doing homework and not turning it in. SoloSuit takes care of this for you so you don't have to worry about buying a printer and figuring out whether you need Certified Mail or Priority Mail at the Post Office.
Here's what you need to do to file your answer.
The address for the attorney will be in the Summons and Complaint you received in the mail. But where is the address for the Court? Good question, most Summons don't list the address of the Court. And the mailing address is often different from the physical address of the court listed on Google. With SoloSuit, we figure all of that out for you and make sure your Answer gets to the right place.
(Read the CardRates article about SoloSuit.)
Without further ado, this is how you answer a summons for debt collection in any of the 50 states (and the District of Columbia).
Sweet home Alabama, we made an in-depth guide for you: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Alabama
Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure
District Court – 14 Days
Circuit Court – 30 Days
Find a Member | Alabama State Bar
Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure
Member Directories - Alaska Bar Association
The Grand Canyon State, do we have a grand guide for you: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection Arizona (2020 Guide)
Most courts in Arizona charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $40-$245. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy.
Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days - if you were served in Arizona
30 days - if you were served outside of Arizona
Answer (For lawsuits under $10k)
Answer (For lawsuits over $10k)
E-filng (Civil)
E-filing (Small claims)
Membership Records - State Bar of Arizona
The home of Walmart. Here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Arkansas.
Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
The Golden State, we made a guide for you too. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in California.
California courts charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $181-$450. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy. We can even help you with a fee waiver, if applicable, which brings the fee down to zero.
California Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
40 days if the documents were served on someone else in your household or they were mailed to you.
California doesn’t have a universal link for case searches, but almost all counties have a case lookup portal. Here are some of the major counties in which we file (feel free to build this list):
Vail is pretty good. So we made a guide for you too. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Colorado
Colorado courts charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $80-$192. SoloSuit calculates and processes the fee payment for you.
Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure
Attorney Search / History - Colorado Supreme Court
Ah, the Nutmeg State and the home of the Charter Oak. Few states have done as much as you for the independence of the country, so we made you a guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Connecticut.
Connecticut Rules of Civil Procedure
Attorney/Firm Look-up - Connecticut Judicial Branch
Delaware is the first state ever! Here's your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Delaware.
Delaware Rules of Civil Procedure
Attorney Search - Delaware State Bar Association
The Sunshine State, here is your guide. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in FL.
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
Lawyer Directory - The Florida Bar
Most courts in GA require the defendant to e-file. They charge a fee to e-file. The fee ranges from $7.20–$31.50. SoloSuit takes care of payment of the fee for you.
Georgia Rules of Civil Procedure
Member Directory - State Bar of Georgia
Aloha! How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Hawaii.
Hawai'i Rules of Civil Procedure
Find a Lawyer - Hawaii State Bar Association
Idaho is one of the best kept secrets in the US. So we made a guide for you. So many hot springs. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Idaho.
Some courts in Idaho charge an Answer filing fee. The fee is usually $136. SoloSuit processes the fee payment for you.
Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure
Small claims Answer Form (It's form fillable!)
Attorney Roster Search - Idaho State Bar
The land that brought us Lincoln! Here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Illinois.
Illinois courts charge an appearance fee which usually needs to be filed with or before the Answer. The fee ranges from $119-$378. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy. We can even help you with a fee waiver, if applicable, which brings the fee down to zero.
Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure
Appear in court, then you have 10 days to file an answer.
Answer/Response to Complaint/Petition
What's a Hoosier? We don't know, but here's your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Indiana.
Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure
United States District Courts Southern District of Indiana Answer Form
The Hawkeye state here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Iowa.
Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure
Member Search - The Iowa State Bar Association
The Sunflower State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Kansas.
Kansas Rules of Civil Procedure
Member Search - Kansas Bar Association
Kentucky, we love us some bluegrass! Here's your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Kentucky.
Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days
Lawyer Locator - Kentucky Bar Association
Can somebody please send us some beignets? We love them so much, we made a guide for your state. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Louisiana.
Most courts in Louisiana charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $10-$250. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy. We can even help you with a fee waiver which brings the fee down to zero.
Louisiana Rules of Civil Procedure
15 days
Find an Attorney - Louisiana State Bar Association
Do you smell that? It's the smell of pine trees mixed with an Atlantic breeze. And here's your guide to go with it: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Maine.
Maine Rules of Civil Procedure
Attorney Directory | Maine.gov
This process is a little different in Maryland. Please take a look at this guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Maryland.
Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure
Served in another state - 60 days
Served outside of the United States - 90 days
MSBA Member Directory - Maryland State Bar Association
The Old Colony State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure
Instructions for writing an answer
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
The Land of the Great Lakes. Here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Michigan.
Michigan Rules of Civil Procedure
21 days
No fee
You can also try this Michigan case search
You gave us 10,000 lakes, and we gave you one guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Minnesota.
Minnesota courts charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $285-$297. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy. You may qualify for a fee waiver which brings the fee down to zero.
Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure
Response to Conciliation (Small Claims)
The Magnolia State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Mississippi.
Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
Mississippi Case Search (Supreme Court only)
Lawyer Directory - The Mississippi Bar
Missouri is the Show-Me State. Show me what? Your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Missouri.
Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
Lawyer Directory - The Missouri Bar
Montana courts charge an Answer filing fee sometimes. The fees range from $20-$70. SoloSuit takes care of paying the fee for you.
Montana Rules of Civil Procedure
No answer form for small claims
Sign In - State Bar of Montana
Birthplace of the Reuben sandwich and lots and lots of farming. Here's Nebraska's guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Nebraska
Beginning 2022, some (if not all) courts will require mandatory e-filing through the Nebraska Judicial Branch eFiling system.
Nebraska Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
Attorney Directory - Nebraska State Bar Association
The home of Las Vegas, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Nevada.
Nevada courts charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $80-$192. SoloSuit calculates and processes the fee payment for you; we make it easy.
Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days
Find a Lawyer - State Bar of Nevada
Live free or die! Your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Rules of Civil Procedure
Can we get some pork rolls please? They're so good, so we made you this guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in New Jersey.
Courts in New Jersey charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $30-$175. SoloSuit processes payment of the fee for you.
New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedure
Attorney Search - NJ Courts Online
Ah, the Land of Enchantment, here is your guide Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection in New Mexico.
New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure (District Courts)
Find a Lawyer - State Bar New Mexico
The Big Apple, we got a guide for you. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in New York.
20 days - if served personally (documents were handed to you by another person)
30 days - served in any other way
New York Rules of Civil Procedure
Answer for Consumer Credit Transaction
The Old North State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in North Carolina.
North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure
Membership Directory | North Carolina State Bar
Known for its Badlands, here's your guide for North Dakota: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in North Dakota.
North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure
Lawyers - North Dakota Supreme Court
You folks made the airplane. And we made you a guide on How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Ohio.
Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure
28 days (with exceptions)
Other Forms (For Ashtabula County)
Attorney Directory Search - Ohio Supreme Court
O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A! Oklahoma! You're doin' fine and here's your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Rules of Civil Procedure
OBA Member Search - Oklahoma Bar Association
Keep Portland Weird. Here is the guide for your state: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Oregon.
Oregon courts charge an Answer filing fee. The fee ranges from $170-$283. SoloSuit makes calculation and payment of the fee easy. We can even help you with a fee waiver which brings the fee down to zero.
Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days
14 days – if you are sued in small claims court
Can eFile
$55
What to do if you're sued by a creditor
Mining coal is hard work. So we made a guide for your state: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Pennsylvania.
Some courts in Pennsylvania charge an Answer filing fee. This fee is usually $154.54. SoloSuit processes payment of the fee for you.
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days (If you don't respond in that period, the person suing you must send you a letter saying that in 10 days they will request a default judgment.)
Pennsylvania Bar Association Directory Search
Lil' Rhody, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure
Directory - Rhode Island Bar Association
Such beautiful Palmettos. Here's your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in South Carolina.
South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure
Directory - South Carolina Bar
South Dakota courts charge a filing fee to respond to a Complaint. In most cases the fee is $25. SoloSuit takes care of payment of this fee for you.
South Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure
South Dakota - LII Attorney Directory
The Volunteer State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Tennessee.
Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Court: 20 days
Online Tennessee Attorney Directory
Will give free Answers in exchange for brisket. How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in texas
TexasRules of Civil Procedure
This one is complicated. Generally, you have 20 days plus until the following Monday, at 10 am to file an Answer. Count all the calendar days including weekends and holidays.
Online Guided Defendant's Answer
Free
Find a Colleague for lawyers - State Bar of Texas
We love Utah. It's where SoloSuit was born. Check out our in-depth guide on How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah.
Utah Rules of Civil Procedure
21 days – if served in Utah
30 days – if served outside of Utah
Utah Bar Directory of Attorneys - Utah State Bar
The Green Mountain State, here is your guide: How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont.
Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure
30 days of the date the Complaint was mailed
Find a lawyer - Vermont Association for Justice
This process is different in Virgina. Read up on it here: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Virginia.
Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure
21 days
Member Directory Search - Virginia State Bar
Washington, may you be ever green. Here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Washington.
Washington Rules of Civil Procedure
The Mountain State, here is your guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in West Virginia.
West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure
Membership Directory Search | The West Virginia State Bar
Y'all have the best cheese, so we made you a guide: How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days (45 days for some torts)
Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims) (Summary)
Lawyer Search - State Bar of Wisconsin
With National Parks galore (seven, to be exact!), here's your guide: How to Respond to a Debt Collection Summons in Wyoming
Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure
20 days – if served in the state
30 days – if served outside of the state
A-Z Lawyer Directory - Wyoming State Bar
Some people ask us what our Answer looks like. Here's what a SoloSuit Answer looks like. Our underlying document is created by professional litigation attorneys. It is battle tested, too. It is one of the most commonly filed documents in court across the US.
Unfortunately, some state courts charge an Answer filing fee. Those states and the fee ranges are shown below.
We find the practice of courts charging an Answer filing fee to be absurd. It is one of the biggest impediments to justice in the United States.
If your court charges a filing fee, we'll let you know. We automatically calculate your filing fee, make it easy for you to pay it, and make sure that payment gets to your court.
The Summons is just the beginning. A series of documents can come after, and even before the Summons. The diagram below shows the possible paths of documents in a debt collection lawsuit.
Here is our recommended path to victory. If the collector sends you a Debt Collection Letter, respond with a Debt Validation Letter. There is a good chance they can't validate the debt; if they can't, you win.
If they think they can validate the debt, then a good debt validation letter will force them to sue you to collect on the debt, at which point they'll send you a Complaint and Summons. You should respond with an Answer. If you don't, you'll lose.
Once you've filed an Answer, there are three likely outcomes. One, the collectors give up and file a Motion to Dismiss: you super win. Two, you or the collector makes a settlement offer. In a settlement, the defendant ends up paying less than they're being sued for: so, in effect, you win. Three, litigation continues. In this scenario, the collector usually starts discovery by filing a Request for Admissions or something similar. You then need to respond with a Response to Request for Admission, and the case can go on indefinitely: it's unclear who will win or lose in this scenario.
Here's a list of guides for other states.
You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now or are just looking for support, we're here for you.
Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.
Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.
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How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide
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Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.
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How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
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What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained
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