How to Respond to a Lawsuit: Deadlines and Rules

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team. United States. Last updated 2026-06-02

When you are served with a lawsuit (a summons and complaint), you have a strict legal deadline to file a written response, usually called an Answer, with the court. In the United States, general civil response deadlines range from 14 to 30 days depending on the state and court track. Eviction (unlawful detainer) timelines are much faster, often requiring a response in 3 to 10 days. If you fail to file your written answer by the deadline, the plaintiff can ask the court to enter a default judgment against you, meaning you lose the case automatically without a trial. An Answer allows you to admit or deny the plaintiff's allegations and raise affirmative defenses (like the statute of limitations). Many states provide standard court forms or accept typed pleadings, and you must serve a copy of your filed answer on the plaintiff. The exact deadline depends on your case track. General civil and family cases usually allow the most time, small claims and debt-collection cases often run on a shorter clock, and an eviction (unlawful detainer) is the fastest of all. Because the response deadline, the available court forms, and the filing and service rules are all set by state law, the guides below are organized by state. Select your state to see the response deadline, the court that hears your case, and the answer forms that apply where you were sued.