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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You respond by filing a written answer with the court named in the summons before your deadline, then serving a copy on the person or company that sued you. The answer goes through the complaint paragraph by paragraph, admitting or denying each allegation, and states any defenses you have. Many courts provide a fill-in answer form, or you can type your own on the court's required paper.
It depends on your state and the type of case. General civil cases commonly give you 14 to 30 days from the date you were served, while eviction cases are much faster, sometimes only a few days. The exact deadline is set by state law and the court your case is in. Select your state above to see the deadline that applies to you.
If you miss your deadline, the other side can ask the court to enter a default judgment against you. That usually means you lose automatically, without a trial, and the court can order you to pay the full amount claimed. Filing even a basic answer on time stops the default clock, so responding by the deadline is the single most important step.
An answer is the written response a defendant files to a lawsuit. It responds to each numbered allegation by admitting it, denying it, or stating you do not have enough information, and it raises your affirmative defenses, such as the statute of limitations or improper service. Filing the answer is what keeps you in the case and lets you tell your side.
Yes. People represent themselves in civil cases every day, and many courts publish fill-in answer forms and self-help guides for defendants. You are responsible for meeting the deadline, using the right form, and serving the other side correctly. Attorney review is available if you want a licensed attorney to check your answer before you file.
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