George Simons | February 28, 2023
People come to SoloSuit at all different points in the debt journey. The "Document Calculator" below will help you determine what you need to do next. Just enter the last document you received about the debt and it will calculate what you need to do next.
For example, if the last document you received about the debt was a Complaint and Summons, just select that from the drop-down menu and the calculator will tell you the next documents to file. It's easy!
An Affidavit is a written statement made under oath and submitted as a court document.
An Affidavit alone doesn't require a response. However, Affidavits are usually served with another document like a Complaint and Summons. If you received a Complaint and Summons you must respond by filing an Answer.
After starting an Answer, most people offer to settle because they want to wrap up the case.
If you received a collections letter, that means you are in collections.
The next document people send is a Debt Validation Letter. This will require the collector to prove you owe the debt.
If you received a Complaint and Summons, that means you are being sued.
The next document people file is an Answer document. This will prevent you from losing automatically.
After starting an Answer, most people offer to settle because they want to wrap up the case.
If you received Interrogatories, that usually means you are in the second stage of a lawsuit: discovery. In discovery both parties can request information from each other.
People respond to the Interrogatories with a written response. The response needs to be submitted by the deadline which is usually around 30 days.
Many people settle the lawsuit at this stage.
A Memorandum is a court document that argues for or against a Motion. A Memorandum is usually filed with a Motion.
The next document people file is a Memorandum Opposed to the Motion. For example, if the person suing you filed a Motion to Dismiss and a Memorandum in Favor of the Motion to Dismiss, you could file a Memorandum Opposed to the Motion to Dismiss.
At any point in a lawsuit, many people choose to settle to get to a quicker resolution.
A Motion is a court document that asks a judge to do something. Common motions include a Motion to Dismiss or a Motion for Summary Judgment. A Motion for Summary Judgment asks the judge to declare the filer the winner immediately.
The next document people file is a Memorandum Opposed to the Motion.
At any point in a lawsuit, many people choose to settle to get to a quicker resolution.
If you received a Motion to Dismiss, then the person suing you is pretty much giving up and asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Dismissing the lawsuit will remove it from court. A case can be dismissed with or without prejudice. If it's dismissed without prejudice, the person can sue you again for the same issue.
If the person suing you is filing for dismissal, that's almost always a good thing. It usually means you won. 🎉
An Order is a written statement made by a judge in a lawsuit. Orders are usually approving or denying a Motion. For example, an Order for Default Judgment may be filed granting a Motion for Default Judgment. Don’t confuse a Proposed Order with an Order. Debt collectors will frequently file a Proposed Order for Default Judgment; it is only a proposal, not an actual order.
Orders don't require a response.
At any point in a lawsuit, many people choose to settle to get to a quicker resolution.
If you received a Petition and Citation, then you are being sued. These documents are titled Complaint and Summons in most states.
The next document you need to file is an Answer to the Petition. This will prevent you from losing automatically.
After starting an Answer, most people offer to settle because they want to wrap up the case.
If you received a Request for Admissions, that usually means you are in the second stage of a lawsuit: discovery. In discovery, both parties can request information from each other.
The next document people file is a Response to the Request for Admissions. It usually needs to be filed within about 30 days. If you don't file a response, the court will usually consider the statements in the request to be true.
At any point in a lawsuit, many people choose to settle to get to a quicker resolution.
If the last document you received is a Writ of Garnishment, that means your wages are about to be garnished. You've already lost the lawsuit.
If you never filed an Answer, there still may be hope. The next documents people file in this situation are a Motion to Set Aside Judgment and an Answer. The Motion to Set Aside Judgment asks the judge to give you a second chance because you never responded to the lawsuit, and the Answer responds to the lawsuit.
Even at this stage people sometimes settle.
This calculator is for educational purposes only.