How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Ohio (2024 Guide)

Hannah Locklear | June 28, 2024

Fact-checked by George Simons, JD/MBA

"Man, I can't wait for this collector to sue me already!" — said no one.

No one enjoys getting sued for debt. If you are sued, you must take legal measures to protect yourself. Ensure that you open and read all court documents that the plaintiff's attorney sent to you. Do not ignore these documents or the Summons and Complaint itself.

This article makes responding to a debt lawsuit easier and tells you how to answer a Summons for debt collection in Ohio. This includes information specific to filing in Ohio, like Ohio deadlines and forms.

Let's get right to it.

Table of Contents

• Deadline
• Forms
• Steps to Respond
• Statute of Limitations in Ohio
• Ohioe Debt Collection Laws
• The FDCPA
• Ohio Wage Garnishment Laws
• Stop Wage Garnishment in Ohio
• Settle Debt in Ohio
• Ohio Debt Relief
• Ohio Legal Aid
• Arbitration
• Ohio Certificate of Judgment
• File an Answer in your local Ohio court
• Key Takeaways

Ohio deadline for Answering a debt collection Summons

You have 28 days to respond to a debt collection Summons in Ohio.

Under Ohio's Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 12(a)(1) states:

“Generally. The defendant shall serve his answer within twenty-eight days after service of the summons and complaint upon him; if service of notice has been made by publication, he shall serve his answer within twenty-eight days after the completion of service by publication.”

In other words, you have 28 calendar days, not business days, from the day you received the Summons. If the 28th day is on a weekend or national holiday, make sure your Answer is filed no later than the last business day before the deadline.

You mustn't miss this deadline. Failure to file an Answer will lead to a default judgment against you. With a default judgment granted, creditors and debt collectors can garnish your wages, seize your property, and even freeze your bank account.

If you want the opportunity to argue your case in court, you must respond to the Summons within the 28-day time frame. Don't put off filing your Answer until the last minute. You should allow a few extra days in case there are complications.

You should also file an Answer and appear in court if you want to make a case against garnishment if a judgment against you has already been granted.

Ohio Answer to Summons forms

The fastest way to create an Answer to a Summons and Complaint in Ohio is to use SoloSuit's Answer form. This form is specifically formatted to fit the rules of Ohio state courts. To fill out the form, just respond to a series of questions about your case, and the SoloSuit software will generate a personalized Answer in under 15 minutes.

Here is a sample of SoloSuit's Answer form.

If you'd rather create an Answer on your own, here is a general Ohio Answer form you can use to respond. The basic format of Ohio's form is very similar to SoloSuit's form, but you have to fill in all the blanks by yourself. You can always fill this form out on your own, but using SoloSuit's form makes it easier to respond with the proper legal language and wording. If you live in Ashtabula County, use this form.

Your Answer has to be formatted a certain way and include specific information. Using one of the options above ensures you craft an Answer that meets the standards set forth by the Ohio court system. The information you include or exclude in your Answer will significantly impact the outcome of your case.

SoloSuit helps you create and file your Answer on your own.

Steps to respond to a debt collection case in Ohio

When you get sued for debt in Ohio, you should receive two documents, either by mail or in person, to begin the lawsuit. These documents are called the Summons and Complaint. The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit, while the Complaint lists the specific allegations (or claims) being made against you. Read them carefully and then take action to respond.

In Ohio, you must respond to a debt lawsuit within 28 days of receiving the Summons and Complaint. Follow these steps to Answer you debt collection case:

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File your Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

Below, we break down each of these steps in detail. Don't like reading? Watch this video to learn more about these three steps instead:

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint

Developing the Answer to the Complaint can be daunting, but it will be easy as pie with Solosuit and these simple tips.

The first section of your Answer document should focus on responding to each claim that is listed in the Complaint document. The plaintiff's Complaint will be formulated as a series of numbered paragraphs, and each paragraph is a separate claim. Read each paragraph carefully, and determine how you want to respond. Here are the three ways you can respond to each claim:

1. Admit—this is like saying, “This is true.”
2. Deny—this is like saying, “Prove it.”
3. Deny due to lack of knowledge—this is like saying, “I don't know.”

Many attorneys recommend making a general denial, where you deny everything in the Complaint and force the other side to prove everything. When you get sued for debt, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff or the person/company suing you. Denying their claims forces them to prove their case, and if they don't have the necessary documents or evidence to do so, the case might get thrown out altogether.

In some states, you may need to let the court know if you want a court trial or a jury trial. You can also include a counterclaim with your Answer if you feel like your rights under the FDCPA have been violated..

You can use SoloSuit's Answer form to respond to your debt lawsuit in just 15 minutes.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

After you've responded to each claim listed on the Complaint, you're ready to move on to the next section of your Answer document—where you assert your affirmative defenses. "Affirmative defenses" are legal reasons the case should be dismissed either fully or partially. You can use your defenses to show that the plaintiff doesn't have a case or that the remedy they are seeking is unreasonable or inaccurate. Wrongdoing by the plaintiff may also be an appropriate defense.

Some of the most common affirmative defenses used in debt collection lawsuits include:

• You are not the owner or a cosigner on the account, and the lawsuit is in error.
• The contract was canceled before goods or services were delivered.
• The statute of limitations, or how long a creditor has to file a suit, has expired.
• You have proof that the debt was paid in part or in full or excused by the creditor.
• You were not informed of your rights and responsibilities as a cosigner.
• You did not agree to the contract or debt, such as identity theft or scams.

You should steer clear of a few defenses, including an inability to pay the debt, dissatisfaction with the product or services provided, or personal situations that affect finances, such as divorce.

If you feel you are entitled to compensation for wrongdoing by the plaintiff, you will make these claims as a counterclaim in your Answer. The provided form has sections for counterclaims. If developing your own Answer document, you would make counterclaims after your affirmative defenses.

3. File the Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff's attorney

Remember, you have 28 days to file your Answer with the court before you lose by default. Don't let filing your Answer be one of those things that falls through the cracks. If you need to, set a reminder on your smartphone so that you remember to file in time

You can file your Answer in person or by certified or express mail. Some courts also accept electronic filing online, meaning you don't even have to leave your house to file your Answer. It is generally recommended to file in person with the court clerk so that if there are any issues with your Answer, you can address them before the deadline.

After you've filed your Answer with the court, make a copy of it and send it to the plaintiff's attorneys. “Plaintiff” is just the fancy, legal term for the person suing you. So in other words, be sure to serve the attorneys that are representing the creditor or debt collector that is suing you before the deadline as well.

SoloSuit can file your Answer for you in all 50 states.

Check the statute of limitations on debt in Ohio

The statute of limitations is the deadline or expiration date on your debt. Each state has a unique law for the statute of limitations that determines how many years a collector can collect on the debt. Once the statute of limitations on a debt has expired, collectors no longer have grounds to sue for that debt.

In Ohio, the statute of limitations on credit card debt is six years, according to Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure Section 2305.06. Likewise, Ohio’s statute of limitations for medical debt, auto loan debt, student loan debt, and personal loan debt is also six years. This means that debt collectors have only six years from the last payment on an account to sue someone for a debt they owe.

However, even if the statute of limitations has expired on your debt, collectors can still file a lawsuit against you. It’s your job to stand up for your rights and bring up the Ohio statute in order to protect yourself in court. If you can prove that the debt is past the statute of limitations, the case should be dismissed.

The table below lists the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Ohio.

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Ohio

Debt Type	Deadline
Credit Card	6 years
Medical	6 years
Student Loan	6 years
Auto Loan	6 years
Personal Loan	6 years
Judgment	10 years
Mortgage	21 years
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.04/.06, and § 2325.18

The table below lists the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Ohio.

The statute of limitations clock starts when the last action is made on an account. This includes payments, making a payment plan on an account, or acknowledging the debt is owed. So, before you make any payments to a debt collector, or admit to owing a debt, check your state's statute of limitations.

Let's consider an example.

Debt collection laws in Ohio keep debt collectors in check

Debt collectors in Ohio must abide by the Ohio Revised Code Section 1321.45. These laws ensure that they do not take advantage of or cause harm to consumers in their effort to get their money. The laws state that debt collectors should not:

• Fail to identify themselves when they contact you
• Call your coworkers, employer, family, or friends to tell them about your debt
• Communicate with you through postcards
• Add any information on the envelope of a letter to show that it is for debt collection
• Communicate with you once you refer them to your attorney
• Phone you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Call you while at work if your employer is against such communication
• Contact you after you send a valid cease and desist letter unless they are informing you of a lawsuit they want to take against you
• Use profanity, abusive, or demeaning language when interacting with you
• Mislead you to believe they work for the government or they are an attorney

While Ohio debt collection laws protect consumers, they also favor creditors and collectors and support their efforts to collect money that consumers genuinely owe to them.

For example, the law allows debt collectors to contact you for a debt you owe, inform you of more severe legal action they are going to take if you don't pay (but it must be the truth and not a threat), and send you debt collection notices regarding the debt you owe and how you should pay. So, before you start paying the debt, send a Debt Validation Letter to ensure the debt is yours and the amount is correct.

In addition to Ohio’s revised Codes, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) also offers you protection from unfair business practices by Ohio debt collectors. The laws are similar to those in Ohio state laws with limited variation. Under the FDCPA, if a creditor violates these laws, you can file a legal action against them and can potentially receive $1,000 in damages. The debt collector may also be ordered to pay your attorney fees and other legal costs. Learn how to file a complaint with the FDCPA to protect your consumer rights.

Let's take a closer look at the FDCPA and the way it protects consumers.

The FDCPA can protect you from abusive debt collectors

It is important to know that, even though the law prevents lawsuits for debts that are past the statute of limitations, debt collectors will still try to sue you for them. The consumer must bring the problem of the debt's age to the court's attention to have the action dismissed.

However, the legislation makes identifying whether debts are time-barred much easier. Previously, the statute of limitations fluctuated from four to fifteen years, depending on the debt.

The clock starts when you stop making payments on the debt to calculate the time left in debt for the statute of limitations. Each payment you make restarts the clock, and the debt becomes legitimate again for the statute of limitations period.

In most circumstances, debt collectors cannot continue collecting on a debt older than the statute of limitations, even though you still owe the money. Because the money is still outstanding, failure to pay off the debt might hurt your credit score.

You cannot, however, be legally compelled to pay the debt. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) makes it illegal for a collector to harass you about an old debt.

The FDCPA protects consumers from unfair debt collection practices. Some protections provided include:

• Debt collectors cannot contact consumers outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Debt collectors cannot contact you at your place of work if they have been notified that your employer does not allow such communication.
• Communication with third parties is limited to the consumer's attorney or credit reporting bureaus unless the consumer gives express permission for the debt collector to do so.
• If a debt collector receives written notice that the consumer does not intend to pay the debt and asks that collection efforts cease, the debt collector cannot continue to contact the consumer except in limited circumstances.
• Debt collectors cannot use obscene or profane language in an attempt to collect a debt.
• A debt collector cannot repeatedly call in a harassing or abusive manner.

You may sue and collect statutory damages if a debt collector violates the legislation. If creditors are harassing you for an old debt, contact an experienced attorney who can help you file a lawsuit or counterclaim and manage the damages you are owed.

Ohio garnishment laws — what they say

Even though Ohio garnishment laws appear to favor creditors, some clauses protect a percentage of your income to ensure you can still provide for yourself and your family. Wage garnishment gives the debt collector the right to take a portion of your income in payment for an outstanding debt.

A creditor can only garnish your wage when they sue you and win the case. Afterward, they file for a Writ of Garnishment. If it goes through, they will receive a garnishment order, and they must send a notice for garnishment to you and your employer. However, outstanding taxes, child support, and student loans do not require a court garnishment order to be deducted from your income.

Fortunately, federal law and Ohio Revised Code set limits on wage garnishment. According to these laws, creditors and debt collectors can only garnish the lesser between:

• 25% of your disposable income or;
• The amount that exceeds thirty times the federal minimum wage per hour ($7.25)

The disposable income is the amount that remains after mandatory deductions and taxes have been subtracted.

The amount garnished for debt in Ohio is not standard for all other debts. For example, if you have a child support order in place, they can cut up to 50% of your disposable income. For student loans, an administrative order gives them permission to garnish up to 15% of your income.

Ohio garnishment laws prevent an employer from firing you because you have a debt garnishment order in place. However, this protective cover ends if you receive more than one debt garnishment order.

With these laws in mind, let’s dive into how to stop wage garnishment in Ohio or prevent it from happening in the first place.

Stop wage garnishment in Ohio

After understanding when a creditor can garnish your wages and how much they are permitted to take, it is time to stop the garnishment process. Consider doing so if you believe the garnishment order will prevent you from meeting your basic needs or if the order violates a law that protects a portion of your income. The following are three ways to stop wage garnishment in Ohio:

• Object to the wage garnishment: This entails requesting for a hearing to contest the garnishment. You do this by filing a written objection with the courthouse that gave the order. Once the court agrees to give you a hearing, present your evidence to support the claim you made while filing for objection. Afterward, wait for the court to give its judgment when it may remove or adjust the garnishment order.


• File a claim of exemption: In this option, you want the judge to exempt a portion of your income from being garnished. Reasons you can give include you are the head of the home and your income supports the family, your earnings fall below the federal poverty line, the debt collector wants to take more than they should, and your wages qualify for public benefits exemptions.


• File for bankruptcy: Although it should be the very last resort, filing for bankruptcy can help you start afresh if you have no means to pay your debts and a garnishment order. You have two options to choose from: Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Did you know you can stop a garnishment order by settling the debt for less than you owe? The garnishment order takes a lot of time and energy, and most creditors would rather get a portion of their money and end the process. Learn about the amount you should offer for settlement as you consider this option.

Below, we explore some of the fastest steps to take to settle your debt in Ohio.

Settle your debt lawsuit in Ohio

Settling debt after receiving a debt collection lawsuit can help you salvage an almost devastating financial situation. Creditors often welcome the idea if you play your cards right. The following are the steps to help you settle debt in Ohio and request a case dismissal as a part of the debt settlement agreement:

1. Respond to the lawsuit with an Answer before the deadline. In Ohio, the deadline to respond to a lawsuit is 28 days. Filing an Answer allows you to give your side of the story. Use the Summons and Complaint documents to draft your Answer. The Complaint lists all the claims the creditor has against you. In your Answer, you should address each claim and deny any applicable to push the plaintiff to prove their case. Next, you must list the affirmative defenses that will help build your case.


2. Make a settlement offer and negotiate with the creditor until you reach a reasonable settlement deal. Make sure your offer is in good-faith and that you’re honest about your financial situation. Some creditors investigate to confirm if the reason for nonpayment is legitimate, and others (like banks or credit unions) already have access to your financials and know how much you can afford to settle.


3. Have the settlement agreement in writing to avoid receiving another lawsuit for the same debt if the creditor goes back on their word or some internal mixup of records occurs and they attempt to collect again. As part of the debt settlement agreement, you should request that any pending lawsuits be dismissed.

Make an offer to settle your debt.

United Settlement, New Era Debt Solution, and Apprisen are some good debt settlement companies in Ohio that you might consider using. However, it may take some time to get results if you are on a timeline while dealing with a pending court hearing. Or, if you want to have more control over the debt settlement process, consider using SoloSettle.

To learn more about the three steps listed above, check out this video:

How to get debt relief in Ohio

Ohio offers multiple relief programs that can directly help you pay off your debts or indirectly by providing you with the necessities you require to stay afloat. The following are programs that help those who qualify receive or pay for basic items like food, shelter, utilities, and health care:

• Ohio Works First: Provides financial assistance for up to 36 months
• Housing Development Assistance Program: offers emergency installations and repairs for handicap accessibility
• Ohio Medicaid Healthy Start and Healthy Families: Provides no-cost healthcare
• Save the Dream Ohio: Offers support to families at risk of foreclosure

To qualify for these programs, you must have a bank balance of below a certain amount (more often less than $2,000) and must have an income below a certain amount for every category you are in. For example, a household with two people must have an income of less than $21, 983.

If you have some money saved up or have a sustainable income, debt relief involves using strategies that can help you pay off your debts. For instance, use the snowball strategy to clear the smallest debt first as you move to the next smallest. But you continue making the minimum payment for the other debts. The opposite approach is the avalanche method, in which you pay the largest debt first. You can also consolidate your debt. This means you get a new loan that has a better interest rate to pay off all the other debts you have and remain with this single debt to pay.

Ohio legal aid organizations

Every state has at least one government-funded organization that provides free legal services to people. Ohio has several. You can contact these legal services for help with debt collection lawsuits if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you.

Each agency will have certain requirements for its free or discounted legal services. You will need to contact the agencies or visit their website for details to learn if they will help with your particular case.

Here are the legal aid agencies available in Ohio:

Community Legal Aid Services, Inc.
50 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
(866) 584-2350
https://www.communitylegalaid.org

Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.
525 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 400
Toledo, OH 43604
(877) 894-4599
https://www.lawolaw.org

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
1223 West Sixth Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 687-1900
https://www.lasclev.org

Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
215 East Ninth Street, Suite 200
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(800) 582-2682
https://lascinti.org

Ohio State Legal Services
1108 City Park Avenue, Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43206
(800) 589-5888
https://www.oslsa.org

Some legal aid services are provided by geographical area. If there is a legal aid organization in your city, start searching for a pro bono attorney. If you contact an agency that cannot help you because of your primary address, they should be able to refer you to the right agency for your area.

Whether big or small, every creditor working to collect a debt must adhere to Ohio's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you believe a creditor has violated these guidelines, talk to the attorney about a counterclaim in your Answer and how to file an official complaint against the creditor. You can also take steps to keep them from calling and harassing you from different phone numbers during the process.

Free legal aid in Marion, Ohio

Sometimes, you may be low on cash and need to consult a legal professional regarding your debt collection case. Fortunately, there are diverse programs and clinics with free legal aid in Marion for its residents in the low-income bracket. The services you may qualify to receive are:

• Low-cost consumer credit counseling
• Access to workshops, online help, or helpline numbers
• Assistance in creating a debt repayment plan
• Receive advice on negotiating settlement
• Attorney representation

An example of a reputable free legal aid society is the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Marion Office. It offers assistance concerning various legal matters, such as educating, representing, and advocating for justice and fairness.

When searching for a credit counseling agency, you must first ensure they are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization or the Council on Accreditation (COA). For instance, you can use any of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) agencies in Marion. These agencies are accredited by the COA and are active members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). The counselor you work with should have been trained in offering services such as budgeting, credit calculation, debt management, consumer law, and bankruptcy matters.

Some legal professionals and counselors will discuss debt management as a way of handling your debts. They will encourage you to save some money to pay your creditors. Afterward, they will contact the creditors and ask them to waive your fees, adjust the payment plan, or reduce the interest rates.

File a Motion to Compel Arbitration

A Motion to Compel Arbitration can help keep your debt lawsuit out of court. The first step is ensuring that you have a valid arbitration agreement. These agreements usually exist in the initial contract you had with the original lender, so read yours carefully to see if it contains an arbitration clause.

Arbitration is a popular way to settle disputes outside of court. Arbitrators take an oath of fairness and impartiality, allowing you to present evidence supporting your side of the case. Many contractual agreements contain arbitration clauses, and using arbitration can save you from having to fight a debt collector in court.

Solosuit can help you craft a Motion to Compel Arbitration. Consider this example of how arbitration can be superior to a courtroom battle.

What is a certificate of judgment in Ohio?

A certificate of judgment grants the creditor permission to collect a debt owed through the court where the case was heard. The document seals the judgment the court gave, which is captured in Section 2329.07.02 or 2329.04 of the Ohio revised code. Afterward, you are required to pay the creditor the amount listed in the judgment. If you fail to pay, they have the legal right to put a lien on your property.

To get a certificate of judgment in Ohio, the debt collector should have won the debt collection case and later filed for a certificate of judgment if you failed to pay part or the entire debt within a specified period. The document can only be issued by the court that heard the case. It’s the court clerk who prepares the certificate, which will enable the creditor to create the lien on your property. In Ohio, a creditor can take your automobile, home, or other applicable assets with a certificate of judgment.

If you live outside the state of Ohio, the certificate of judgment still applies. However, the court clerk from the court where the certificate was issued will put an official seal on the document, allowing you to transfer the order from that court to another one. The creditor will then apply for an examination hearing in the new state using the following document:

• Notice of examination which identifies you as the debtor
• An Affidavit for enforcement request, which outlines the debt information from the court order from Ohio court
• Certificate of judgment

After submitting these documents, a hearing date will be set. The creditor must send you the notice of examination. They will then file the affidavit of service at least three days before the examination hearing. Ensure you appear in court to explain your situation to the judge. If the order doesn’t change, the certificate of judgment will be issued in the new state, and you must make the debt payments, or the creditor will take your property.

Avoid a judgment. File an Answer into your case and stand up for your rights.

File an Answer in your local Ohio court

Don't delay. Find your local court below to start the process of drafting and filing an Answer in your Ohio debt collection lawsuit.

• In the Garfield Heights Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Mahoning County Court #5 Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Columbiana County Municipal Court Columbiana County, Ohio
• In the South Euclid Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Euclid Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Elyria Municipal Court Lorain County, Ohio
• In the Berea Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Clermont County Municipal Court, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Area One Butler County Court Butler County, Ohio
• In the Ashtabula Western County Court Ashtabula County, Ohio
• In the Delaware Municipal Court Delaware County, Ohio
• In the Dayton Municipal Court Montgomery County, Ohio
• In the Municipal Court of Montgomery County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Massillon Municipal Court Stark County, Ohio
• In the Fremont Municipal Court Sandusky County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Coshocton Municipal Court Coshocton County, Ohio
• In the Oberlin Municipal Court Lorain County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Summit County, Ohio
• In the Ashland Municipal Court Ashland County, Ohio
• In the Municipal Court of Sidney Shelby County, Ohio
• In the Auglaize Municipal Court Auglaize County, Ohio
• In the Barberton Municipal Court Summit County, Ohio
• In the Belmont County Court Northern Belmont County, Ohio
• In the Painesville Municipal Court Lake County, Ohio
• In the Chardon Municipal Court Geauga County, Ohio
• In the Area Two Butler County Court Butler County, Ohio
• In the Miami County Municipal Civil Court, Ohio
• In the Knox County Common Pleas Court Knox County, Ohio
• In the Tuscarawas County Court, Ohio
• In the Municipal Court of Lima, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Meigs County Court of Meigs County, Ohio
• In the Canton Municipal Court Stark County, Ohio
• In the Vandalia Municipal Court Montgomery County, Ohio
• In the Upper Sandusky Municipal Court Wyandot County, Ohio
• In the Lakewood Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Lebanon Municipal Court Warren County, Ohio
• In the Lyndhurst Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Jackson County Municipal Court Jackson County, Ohio
• In the Shelby Municipal Court Richland County, Ohio
• In the Vinton County Court Vinton County, Ohio
• In the Maumee Municipal Court Lucas County, Ohio
• In the Medina County Common Pleas Court Medina County, Ohio
• In the Zanesville Municipal Court of Muskingum County Ohio
• In the Fairfield Municipal Court Butler County, Ohio
• In the Madison County Municipal Court Madison County, Ohio
• In the Huron Municipal Court Erie County, Ohio
• In the Stow Municipal Court Summit County, Ohio
• In the Xenia Municipal Court Greene County, Ohio
• In the Municipal Court Fairfield County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Chillicothe Municipal Court Ross County, Ohio
• In the Perrysburg Municipal Court Perrysburg County, Ohio
• In the Oakwood Municipal Court Montgomery County, Ohio
• In the Fulton County Western District Court Fulton County, Ohio
• In the Gallia County Common Pleas Court Of Gallia County, Ohio
• In the Sylvania Municipal Court Lucas County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Ashtabula County, Ohio
• In the Common Pleas Court of Franklin County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Bowling Green Municipal Court Wood County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Shaker Heights Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Franklin County Municipal Court Franklin County, Ohio
• In the Kettering Municipal Court Kettering County, Ohio
• In the Cleveland Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Lorain Municipal Court Lorain County, Ohio
• In the Akron Municipal Court Summit County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Tiffin Fostoria Municipal Court, Ohio Tiffin Division
• In the Adams County Court Adams County, Ohio
• In the Tiffin Fostoria Municipal Court, Ohio Fostoria Division
• In the Norwalk Municipal Court Huron County, Ohio
• In the Hillsboro Municipal Court Highland County, Ohio
• In the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Fairfield County, Ohio
• In the Van Wert Municipal Court Van Wert County, Ohio
• In the Licking County Court of Common Pleas Licking County, Ohio
• In the Muskingum County Court, Ohio
• In the Marysville Municipal Court Union County, Ohio
• In the Carroll County Municipal Court, Carroll County Ohio
• In the Alliance Municipal Court, Alliance County, Ohio
• In the Struthers Municipal Court Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Marion Municipal Court Marion County, Ohio
• In the Highland Court of Common Pleas Highland County, Ohio
• In the Defiance Municipal Court Defiance County, Ohio
• In the Tuscarawas Court of Common Pleas Tuscarawas County, Ohio
• In the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Lucas County, Ohio
• In the Sandusky County Court of Common Pleas Sandusky County, Ohio
• In the Ottawa Court of Common Pleas, Ottawa County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Wood County, Ohio
• In the New Philadelphia Municipal Court
• In the Pike County Court, Pike County, Ohio
• In the Warren County Court of Warren County, Ohio
• In the Willoughby Municipal Court Lake County, Ohio
• In the Lawrence County Municipal Court Lawrence County, Ohio
• In the Mansfield Municipal Court of Richland County, Ohio
• In the Ottawa County Municipal Court, Ohio
• In the Parma Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Oregon Municipal Court Lucas County, Ohio
• In the Belmont County Court Western Division, Belmont County, Ohio
• In the Wayne County Municipal Court Wayne County, Ohio
• In the Lorain County Common Pleas Court Lorain County, Ohio
• In the Marietta Municipal Court Washington County, Ohio
• In the Brown County Municipal Court Brown County, Ohio
• In the Lake County Common Pleas Lake County, Ohio
• In the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Geauga County Common Pleas Geauga County, Ohio
• In the Sandusky County Court #2, Ohio
• In the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Logan County, Ohio
• In the Rocky River Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In the Portage County Municipal Court Ravenna Portage County, Ohio
• In the Warren County Court of Common Pleas Warren County, Ohio
• In the Clark County Municipal Court Clark County, Ohio
• In the Mason Municipal Court Warren County, Ohio
• In the Girard Municipal Court Trumbull County, Ohio
• In the Darke County Municipal Court Darke County, Ohio
• In the Fairborn Municipal Court Greene County, Ohio
• In the Miamisburg Municipal Court Montgomery County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Medina Municipal Court Medina County, Ohio
• In the Hamilton County Municipal Court Hamilton County, Ohio
• In the Sandusky Municipal Court Erie County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Trumbull County, Ohio
• In the Celina Municipal Court Mercer County, Ohio
• In the Hamilton Municipal Court Butler County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Hamilton County, Ohio
• In the Portsmouth Municipal Court Scioto County, Ohio
• In the Napoleon Municipal Court Henry County, Ohio
• In the Middletown Municipal Court Butler County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Fulton County Eastern District Court Fulton County, Ohio
• In the Jefferson County Court #3 Jefferson County, Ohio
• In the Hardin County Municipal Court Hardin County, Ohio
• In the Mentor Municipal Court Lake County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Court Greene County, Ohio
• In the Ashtabula Municipal Court Ashtabula County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Montgomery County, Ohio Civil Division
• In the Bedford Municipal Court Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• In Eaton Municipal Court Preble County,ohio
• In the Ironton Municipal Court Lawrence County, Ohio
• In the Circleville Municipal Court, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas, Henry County, Ohio
• In the Mount Vernon Municipal Court, Knox County, Ohio
• In the Portage County Municipal Court, Ohio Kent Division
• In the Ashtabula County Court, Eastern Division Ashtabula County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Union County, Ohio
• In the Wadsworth Municipal Court, Ohio Medina County
• In the Municipal Court of Franklin County
• In the Paulding Municipal Court Paulding County, Ohio
• In the Cambridge Municipal Court Guernsey County, Ohio
• In the Mahoning County Court Area Number #4 Austintown
• In the Highland County Court Highland County, Ohio
• In the Mahoning County Area Court #4 Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Lima Municipal Court, Allen County, Ohio
• In the Athens County Municipal Court Athens County, Ohio
• In the Findlay Municipal Court Hancock County, Ohio
• In the Jefferson County Court at Toronto Jefferson County, Ohio
• In the Bryan Municipal Court Williams County, Ohio
• In the Common Pleas Court of Richland, Ohio Civil Division
• In the City of Campbell Municipal Court Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Jefferson County Court #2 Jefferson County, Ohio
• In the Stark County Court of Common Pleas Stark County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas, General Division, Logan County, Ohio
• In the Trumbull County Court Central Division Trumbull County, Ohio
• Athens County Common Pleas Court, Athens, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas, Columbiana County, Lisbon Ohio
• In the Cleveland Municipal Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio Civil Division
• In Common Pleas Court Jefferson County, Ohio
• In the Erie County Municipal Court, Ohio
• In the Butler County Court, Area 3 Butler County, Ohio
• In the Municipal Court of Morrow County, Ohio
• In the Licking County Municipal Court Licking County, Ohio
• In the Youngstown Municipal Court Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Portage County, Ohio
• In the Belmont County Court Eastern Division, Belmont County, Ohio
• In the Montgomery County Municipal Court Western Montgomery County Ohio
• In the Common Pleas Court of Clark County, Springfield, Ohio, Civil Division
• In the Monroe County Court Monroe County, Ohio
• In the Champaign County Municipal Court, Urbana, Ohio
• In Niles Municipal Court, Trumbull County, Ohio
• In the Vermilion Municipal Court of Erie County, Ohio
• In the Clermont County Common Pleas Court Clermont County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Belmont County, St. Clairsville, State of Ohio
• In the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court, Ohio
• In the Court Court of Common Pleas Wyandot County, Ohio
• In the Court Common Pleas Court, Clinton County, Ohio
• In the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas Urbana, Ohio
• In the Warren Municipal Courtwarren County, State of Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Delaware County, Ohio
• In the Crawford County Municipal Court, Crawford County, Ohio
• In the Crawford County Municipal Court, Crawford County, Ohio
• In the Toledo Municipal Court Lucas County, Ohio
• In the Washington Municipal Court, Fayette County, Ohio
• In the Mahoning County Court #2 of Mahoning County, Boardman, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas of Madison County Ohio
• In the Mason Municipal Court, Mason County, Ohio
• In the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas Morrow County, Ohio
• In the Clinton County Municipal Court, Ohio
• In the Medina County Common Pleas Court Medina County, Ohio
• In the Mahoning County Court #3, Ohio
• In the Putnam County Municipal Court Putnam County, Ohio
• In the Court of Common Pleas Preble County, Eaton, Ohio

Key takeaways

This article has a lot of information, so let's summarize what you need to do to respond to your Summons for debt collection in Ohio.

• You have 28 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Ohio.
• You should respond to the lawsuit by filing an Answer document with the court where you reply to each claim listed in the Complaint and assert your affirmative defenses.
• SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer to your debt lawsuit in just 15 minutes.
• Don't forget to make a copy of your Answer and send it to the plaintiff's attorney.
• The statute of limitations on most types of debt in Ohio is six years.
• Ohio has legal aid organizations that can help you if you cannot afford an attorney.

Once the case is disposed of and judgment has been made, you can begin working on rebuilding your credit after a debt lawsuit.

Good Luck!

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont; Vermont (Small Claims court)
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

• 11 Charter Communications
• AAA Collections
• Aargon Agency Inc
• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• ACEI Collections
• Account Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Advanced Recovery Systems
• AES NCT
• AFNI Collections
• Alco Capital Group LLC
• Aldous and Associates
• Alliance Collections
• Alliance One
• Alliant Capital Management
• Alpha Recovery Corp
• Alltran Financial
• Alltran Health
• Alorica Inc.
• Amcol Clmbia in Court
• American Coradius International
• American Profit Recovery
• American Recovery Service
• Americollect
• AmSher Collection Services
• Apelles LLC
• AR Resources
• ARC Collections
• ARM Solutions
• Arrow Financial Services
• ARS National Services
• ARSC Debt Collectors
• ARS National Services
• ARstrat
• AscensionPoint Recovery Services
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Atlantic Credit and Finance
• Atradius Collections
• Automated Collection Services, Inc.
• Autovest LLC
• Avante USA
• Avantus
• AWA Collections
• Balekian Hayes
• Bay Area Receivables
• BCA Financial Services
• BC Services
• Benuck and Rainey
• Berlin-Wheeler
• Bluebonnet Financial LLC
• Bonneville Collections
• Bull City Financial
• Bureaus Investment Group
• Cach LLC
• Caine and Weiner
• Capio Partners
• Capital Accounts
• Capital Collections
• Capital Management Services
• CardWorks
• Carmel Financial/New Coast Direct
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• CBCInnovis
• CBCS Collections
• CBE Group
• CBV Collections
• CCB Credit Services
• CCS Collections
• CCS Offices
• Central Mediation Services
• Central Portfolio Control
• Cerastes LLC
• Choice Recovery
• Choice Recovery Inc
• CKS Financial
• CKMS Financial
• Client Services
• CMRE Financial Services
• COAF
• Coast Professional
• Comenity Bank Debt Collection
• Commonwealth Financial
• ConServe Debt Collection
• Consumer Collection Management
• Contract Callers Inc
• Convergent Healthcare Recoveries
• Convergent Outsourcing
• Couch Conville & Blitt
• Covington Credit
• CRDT First
• Credco in Court
• Credence Resource Management
• Credit Bureau Systems
• Credit Control Corporation
• Credit Management Company
• Credit Management LP
• Credit Systems
• Credit Systems
• CSIEZPay
• CTC Debt Collector
• CVCS Debt Collection
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• D&A Services
• Daniels, Norelli, Cecere & Tavel P.C.
• DCM Services
• Debt Recovery Solutions
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Department Stores National Bank
• Direct Recovery Associates
• Discover Collections
• Diversified Adjustment
• Diversified Consultants
• Diversified Recovery Bureau
• DNF Associates, LLC
• Dodeka LLC
• DRS Credit
• Dynamic Collectors
• Eagle Loan
• Eagle Accounts Group, Inc.
• Eastern Account System
• EduCap
• Ellington and Associates Collections
• Encore Capital Group
• Enerson Law
• Enerson Law LLC
• Enhanced Recovery Company
• EOS CCA
• ERC Collections
• ERSolutions
• Estate Information Services
• Equable Ascent Financial
• Everest Business Funding
• Executive Credit Management
• Faber and Brand
• Factual Data
• Falls Collection Service
• FBCS
• FCO Collections and Outsourcing
• FIA Card Services
• fin rec svc (Financial Recovery Services)
• First Federal Credit Credit Control
• First Financial Bank
• First Portfolio Ventures LLC
• First Progress
• FirstPoint Collection Resources
• Firstsource Advantage
• FMA Alliance
• FNB Omaha
• Forster & Garbus
• Franklin Collection Services
• Freedom Plus
• Freshview Solutions
• Frontline Asset
• Frost Arnett
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Galaxy International Purchasing, LLC
• GC Debt Collection
• GC Services
• General Revenue Corporation
• GLA Collections
• Glass Mountain Capital
• Glasser and Glasser
• Global Credit Collection Corp
• Global Trust Management
• GMAC Financing
• Golden 1 Credit Union
• Grant and Weber
• Grant Mercantile Agency
• Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
• Gurstel
• Halsted Financial Services
• Harris and Harris
• Harvard Collection
• Harvest Credit Management
• Helvey and Associates
• Hollis Cobb
• Holloway Moxley
• Hosto Buchan
• Howard Lee Schiff
• H&R Accounts
• HRRG
• Hudson & Keyse LLC?
• Hunter Warfield
• IC System
• Impact Receivables Management
• Innovative Recovery
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
• JP Receivables Management Partners
• JPMCB card
• Kenneth Eisen and Associates
• KeyBank student loans
• Kinum
• Kirschenbaum, Phillips & Levy P.C.
• KLS Financial Services
• Kramer & Frank
• Lakeside Collection
• Lending Club
• Lincoln and Morgan Kabbage
• Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
• Lockhart Collection Agency
• LJ Ross Associates
• LTD Collections
• Malcolm S. Gerald and Associates
• Malen & Associates
• Mandarich Law Group
• Mannbracken
• Marcam Associates
• MARS Inc. Collections
• MBA Law
• MCA Management Company
• McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff
• Meade & Associates
• Medicredit
• Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
• Merchants Credit Association
• MGM Collections
• Michael J Adams PC
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mid-South Adjustment
• Monarch Recovery
• Monterey Financial
• Moss Law Firm
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• MRS BPO
• MSW Capital LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Nathan and Nathan PC
• National Collegiate Trust
• National Credit Adjusters
• National Credit Care
• National Credit Systems
• National Enterprise Systems
• National Recovery Agency
• National Recovery Solutions
• Nationstar
• Nationwide Credit
• Nationwide Recovery Services
• Nationwide Recovery Systems
• NCEP LLC
• NCO Financial Systems Incorporated
• North American Recovery
• Northland Group
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• Northstar Location Services
• NPAS
• NRC Collection Agency
• Oliver Adjustment Company
• Oliphant Financial, LLC
• Oportun
• P&B Capital Group
• PCB Collections Agency
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Contracting Services
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Payday Loan Debt Collectors
• Pendrick Capital Partners
• Penn Credit
• Perdue Brandon
• Persolve LLC
• Phillips & Cohen Associates
• Phoenix Financial Services
• Pioneer Credit Recovery
• PMAB LLC
• PRA Group, Inc.
• Pressler, Felt & Warshaw LLP
• Prestige Services, Inc.
• Prince Parker and Associates
• ProCollect
• Professional Finance Company
• Progressive Management Systems
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Quaternary Collection Agency
• RAB Collection Agency
• Rash Curtis and Associates
• Radius Global SOL
• Radius Global Solutions
• Rawlings Company
• Razor Capital
• Real Time Resolutions
• Receivables Performance Management
• Regents and Associates
• Reliant Capital Solutions
• RentGrow
• Resurgent
• Resurgent Capital Services and LVNV Funding
• Revco Solutions
• Revenue Enterprises LLC
• Revenue Group
• RGS Financial, Inc.
• RMP LLC in Court
• RMP Services
• RS Clark and Associates
• RSIEH
• RSIEH
• RTR Financial Services
• Rubin & Rothman
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Samara Portfolio Management
• SCA Collections
• Scott Parnell and Associates
• Second Round Collections
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Selip & Stylianou LLP
• Sequium Asset Solutions
• Sessoms and Rogers
• Sherman Acquisition
• Sherman Financial Group
• SIMM Associates
• Source Receivables Management
• Southern Management Systems
• Southwest Credit Group
• Spire Recovery Solutions
• SRS Company
• Stark Collection Agency
• State Collection Service
• Stenger and Stenger
• Stillman Law Office
• Summit Account Resolution
• Sunrise Credit Services
• Superlative RM Debt Collector
• Suttell and Hammer
• Synergetic Communication
• Synerprise Consulting
• The Law Office of Michael J Scott
• Trellis Company
• Troy Capital
• TRS Recovery Services
• TrueAccord
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• UHG 1, LLC
• Unifin
• Unifin Debt Collector
• Unifund
• Universal Credit Services
• US Bank Collections
• USAA collections
• USCB America
• Valentine and Kebartas
• Valley Servicing
• Vance & Huffman LLC
• Van Ru Credit Corporation
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Viking Client Services
• Wakefield and Associates
• Waypoint Resource Group
• WCTCB
• Weinberg and Associates
• Weltman, Weinberg & Reis
• Westwood Funding
• Williams and Fudge
• Wilshire Consumer Credit
• Wolpoff & Abramson
• Worldwide Asset Purchasing
• www.AutomotiveCredit.com
• Zarzaur & Schwartz
• Zwicker & Associates

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

• American Express; American Express – Debt Collection
• Bank of America
• Barclay
• Best Buy Credit Card
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• Old Navy Credit Card
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• Regional Finance
• Retailers National Bank
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Synchrony Walmart Card
• Target National Bank
• Webbank
• Wells Fargo
• Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
• Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

• Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
• Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Fight Medical Bill Debt?
• Does Bankruptcy Clear Medical Debt?
• How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
• How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
• Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
• Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

• How Arbitration Works
• How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
• How Credit Card Arbitration Works
• Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
• Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

• 1-800-390-7584
• 800-289-8004
• 800-955-6600
• 8009556600
• 877-366-0169
• 877-591-0747
• 800-278-2420
• 800-604-0064
• 800-846-6406
• 877-317-0948
• 888-899-4332
• 888-912-7925
• 202-367-9070
• 502-267-7522

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

• 15 USC 1692 Explained
• Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
• FDCPA Violations List
• How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
• How to Submit a Transunion Dispute
• How to Submit an Equifax Dispute
• How to Submit an Experian Dispute
• What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
• What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
• What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?
• What does FCRA stand for?
• What is the Consumer Credit Protection Act