How to Respond to a Lawsuit in Washington: Answer a Summons (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team. Washington. Last updated 2026-06-02
In Washington, a defendant served with a civil summons and complaint has 20 calendar days, exclusive of the day of service, to serve a written answer under Superior Court Civil Rule 12(a)(1). That window grows to 60 days if the summons is served by publication or served on you personally outside Washington. The deadline depends on your track. Small claims requires no written answer at all: under RCW 12.40.060 the defendant appears in person in the District Court small claims department on the date stated in the notice, which is set not less than five days after service. An eviction (unlawful detainer) is the short track. Under RCW 59.12.070 the answer is due by the date designated in the summons, which the statute sets at not less than seven nor more than thirty days after service, and RCW 59.18.365 fills that response date into the residential summons. A response to a divorce or dissolution petition is also due within 20 days under Civil Rule 12(a)(1). If you miss your deadline, the plaintiff can move for an order of default under Civil Rule 55(a)(1) and the court can enter a default judgment, which you can later move to set aside under Civil Rule 60(b) within a reasonable time and, for excusable neglect, no more than one year.
How long do I have to respond to a lawsuit in Washington?
It depends on the type of case. For a general civil complaint, Superior Court Civil Rule 12(a)(1) gives you 20 calendar days, exclusive of the day of service, after the summons is served to serve a written answer. That extends to 60 days if you are served by publication or personally outside Washington. An eviction answer is due by the date stated in the summons, which cannot be sooner than seven days after service under RCW 59.12.070. Small claims requires no written answer; you appear in person on the date in the notice.
How do I respond to a civil summons in Washington?
You respond by filing a written answer with the clerk of the court named in the summons, then serving a copy on the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney under Civil Rule 5(b). Some counties require electronic filing under General Rule 30, so check the local rule. The answer admits or denies each numbered allegation of the complaint and states your affirmative defenses.
What happens if I don't answer a summons in Washington?
If you do not respond by your deadline, the plaintiff can move for an order of default under Civil Rule 55(a)(1) by motion and affidavit showing you failed to appear or defend. The court can then enter a default judgment granting what the complaint requests. You may move to set the default aside under Civil Rule 60(b) within a reasonable time, and for excusable neglect no more than one year later.
How do I answer a summons without an attorney in Washington?
Self-represented defendants can file an answer themselves. Washington has no statewide mandatory answer form for general civil cases, so you type your answer in standard pleading format with the caption required by General Rule 14 and Civil Rule 10, listing the court, parties, and case number. File it with the clerk of the court named in the summons, serve the plaintiff, and pay the fee or request a fee waiver if your answer includes a counterclaim.
Washington response framework at a glance
Washington's response rules turn first on which track your case is in. A general civil complaint is governed by Superior Court Civil Rule 12(a)(1), which directs the defendant to serve an answer within 20 days, exclusive of the day of service, after the summons and complaint are served, and that window grows to 60 days if the summons is served by publication or served on the defendant personally outside the state. Small claims is different. Under RCW 12.40.060 no written answer is permitted or required, and the defendant must appear personally in the District Court small claims department at the time certain stated in the notice, which is set not less than five days after the date of service. Eviction is the short track. Under RCW 59.12.070 the unlawful detainer summons is returnable on a day designated in it, not less than seven nor more than thirty days from the date of service, and RCW 59.18.365 sets the written response date that a residential tenant must read off the served summons. A response to a dissolution petition is due within the same 20-day Civil Rule 12(a)(1) window. Time is computed under Civil Rule 6(a), which excludes intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays only when the period allowed is less than seven days. Answers are filed with the clerk of the court named in the summons and served on the plaintiff under Civil Rule 5(b). The Washington Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov is the official source for the civil rules, the fee-waiver forms, and the court forms a defendant needs.
Court Resources
Washington Courts. Superior Court Civil Rule 12 (Answer deadlines)
The official court rule that sets the 20-day general civil answer deadline, and the 60-day window for service by publication or personal service outside Washington, that a defendant computes the response date from.
Washington Courts. Civil Fee Waiver Forms (WPF GR 34.0100 and WPF GR 34.0300)
The official motion and financial statement a defendant files to ask the court to waive civil fees and surcharges, based on income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level or receipt of needs-based public assistance.
Washington Courts. Court Forms Library
The statewide forms library where a self-represented defendant finds pleading, fee-waiver, and family law forms, along with the General Rule 14 and Civil Rule 10 caption requirements an answer must follow.
Relevant Laws
Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 12(a)(1) (20-Day Answer Deadline)
Requires a defendant to serve an answer within 20 days, exclusive of the day of service, after the summons and complaint are served, with 60 days allowed when the summons is served by publication or served on the defendant personally outside Washington. This is the standard general civil response deadline.
RCW 59.12.070 and RCW 59.18.365 (Unlawful Detainer Response Window)
Governs the eviction track, where the summons is returnable on a day designated in it, not less than seven nor more than thirty days from the date of service. For residential tenancies, RCW 59.18.365 sets the written response date the tenant must read off the served summons. This is the short eviction track, not the 20-day general civil track.
RCW 12.40.060 (Small Claims Appearance, No Written Answer)
Provides that the small claims notice directs the defendant to appear personally in the small claims department at a time certain, not less than five days from the date of service. A small claims defendant files no written answer and instead appears in person on that date.
Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 55 (Default and Default Judgment)
Provides that when a party fails to appear, plead, or otherwise defend, and that fact is shown by motion and affidavit, a motion for default may be made, opening the door to a default judgment for the relief the complaint requests.
Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 60(b) (Setting Aside a Default)
Allows a court to relieve a party from a judgment taken through mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, or irregularity, on a motion made within a reasonable time and, for those grounds, no more than one year after the judgment.
RCW 4.16.040 (Six-Year Limit on Written Contracts)
Sets a six-year statute of limitations for an action on a written contract or account receivable, which is the limitations period a defendant checks when responding to a debt collection lawsuit on a written agreement.
Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 13(a) (Compulsory Counterclaim)
Requires a pleading to state as a counterclaim any claim the pleader has against an opposing party that arises out of the same transaction or occurrence that is the subject of the opposing party's claim, or lose the right to assert it later.
Regional Variances
Answer deadline by case track in Washington
General civil complaint (Civil Rule 12(a)(1))
20 calendar days, exclusive of the day of service, after the summons and complaint are served to serve a written answer, or 60 days if served by publication or personally outside Washington. This is the default civil deadline and the one most defendants are working against.
Unlawful detainer / eviction (RCW 59.12.070, RCW 59.18.365)
The answer is due by the date designated in the summons, which the statute sets at not less than seven nor more than thirty days after service. This is shorter than the 20-day general civil window, so eviction defendants must read the exact response date off the served summons and move fast.
Small claims (RCW 12.40.060)
No written answer is permitted or required. The defendant appears in person in the District Court small claims department at the time certain stated in the notice, set not less than five days after service. Failing to appear lets the plaintiff take a default.
Divorce / dissolution response (Civil Rule 12(a)(1))
20 days after service of the petition and summons to file a response and serve a copy on the petitioner, or 60 days if served outside Washington. Missing it can let the dissolution proceed by default.
Which Washington court hears your case, by amount
Small Claims Department of the District Court
Hears claims up to $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses and other entities. No written answer is filed; the defendant appears in person on the date stated in the notice under RCW 12.40.060.
District Court, general civil (up to $100,000)
Handles civil claims over the small-claims cap up to $100,000. A written answer is required within 20 days under Civil Rule 12(a)(1). There is no fee to file an answer alone.
Superior Court of Washington (general jurisdiction)
Handles civil cases of unlimited amount and all family and unlawful detainer matters. A written answer is due within 20 days. Filing the answer is free unless it adds a counterclaim, which carries a $200 fee plus county surcharges of roughly $240 to $310.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Calculate your response deadline from the date you were served
Day 0 (date of service) days after startingFind the deadline that matches your track. A general civil complaint is due in 20 calendar days, exclusive of the day of service, under Civil Rule 12(a)(1), or 60 days if served by publication or outside Washington. A dissolution response uses the same 20-day window. An eviction answer is due by the date stated in the summons, not less than seven nor more than thirty days after service under RCW 59.12.070. Small claims requires no written answer; under RCW 12.40.060 you appear in person on the date in the notice. Mark the exact date on a calendar.
Identify your case track and the correct court
Within 2 days of service days after startingRead the caption on the summons to confirm whether the case is small claims (up to $10,000 for individuals), District Court civil (up to $100,000), Superior Court civil, unlawful detainer, or family. The track decides your deadline, the form of response, and any fee. Confirm the court named in the summons, because that is where your answer must be filed.
Identify your defenses and any counterclaims
Before drafting the answer days after startingList the affirmative defenses that fit your facts, such as the statute of limitations, insufficient service of process, accord and satisfaction, discharge in bankruptcy, payment, or, in debt-buyer cases, the plaintiff's lack of standing. In debt cases, check the six-year written-contract limitations period under RCW 4.16.040. Under Civil Rule 13(a) a related claim against the plaintiff arising from the same transaction is a compulsory counterclaim you must plead in your answer or lose.
Draft the answer in the correct caption and format
Before the answer deadline days after startingRespond to each numbered allegation by admitting, denying, or stating you lack information to admit or deny, then state your affirmative defenses. Washington has no statewide mandatory answer form for general civil cases, so type the answer in standard pleading format with the caption required by General Rule 14 and Civil Rule 10, showing the court, the parties, and the case number. Small claims defendants do not draft an answer and instead appear in person on the date in the notice.
File the answer with the clerk of the correct court
On or before the answer deadline days after startingFile with the clerk of the court named in the summons under Civil Rule 5(e). Many counties require electronic filing under General Rule 30, so check the local rule before filing in person or by mail. There is no fee to file an answer alone in Washington. A $200 fee plus county surcharges of roughly $240 to $310 applies only if your answer adds a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim.
Serve the plaintiff and keep proof of service
With or promptly after filing days after startingServe a copy of the answer on the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney by delivery or mail under Civil Rule 5(b), and keep proof of service. Civil Rule 12(a)(1) requires the answer to be served within the deadline, so serving on time matters as much as filing on time. An answer that is filed but not served can be challenged.
Request a fee waiver if your answer carries a fee you cannot afford
At the time of filing days after startingIf your answer adds a counterclaim that triggers a fee and your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, or you receive needs-based public assistance, file WPF GR 34.0100 with the WPF GR 34.0300 financial statement to ask the court to waive civil fees and surcharges. Submitting the request lets you file on time without paying the roughly $240 to $310 fee while the court decides eligibility.
Appear at the hearing, trial date, or small claims date
As set by the court days after startingCalendar every date the court sets, including the small claims appearance date in the notice, where you must appear in person and file no written answer, and any trial or case-scheduling date in a civil case. Bring your evidence and a copy of your filed answer. Attorney review is available as an option before you file if your case involves a short eviction return date, a debt-collection statute-of-limitations question, or a disputed service-of-process issue.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculate your response deadline from the date you were served | Find the deadline that matches your track. A general civil complaint is due in 20 calendar days, exclusive of the day of service, under Civil Rule 12(a)(1), or 60 days if served by publication or outside Washington. A dissolution response uses the same 20-day window. An eviction answer is due by the date stated in the summons, not less than seven nor more than thirty days after service under RCW 59.12.070. Small claims requires no written answer; under RCW 12.40.060 you appear in person on the date in the notice. Mark the exact date on a calendar. | - | Day 0 (date of service) |
| Identify your case track and the correct court | Read the caption on the summons to confirm whether the case is small claims (up to $10,000 for individuals), District Court civil (up to $100,000), Superior Court civil, unlawful detainer, or family. The track decides your deadline, the form of response, and any fee. Confirm the court named in the summons, because that is where your answer must be filed. | - | Within 2 days of service |
| Identify your defenses and any counterclaims | List the affirmative defenses that fit your facts, such as the statute of limitations, insufficient service of process, accord and satisfaction, discharge in bankruptcy, payment, or, in debt-buyer cases, the plaintiff's lack of standing. In debt cases, check the six-year written-contract limitations period under RCW 4.16.040. Under Civil Rule 13(a) a related claim against the plaintiff arising from the same transaction is a compulsory counterclaim you must plead in your answer or lose. | - | Before drafting the answer |
| Draft the answer in the correct caption and format | Respond to each numbered allegation by admitting, denying, or stating you lack information to admit or deny, then state your affirmative defenses. Washington has no statewide mandatory answer form for general civil cases, so type the answer in standard pleading format with the caption required by General Rule 14 and Civil Rule 10, showing the court, the parties, and the case number. Small claims defendants do not draft an answer and instead appear in person on the date in the notice. | answer-to-complaint | Before the answer deadline |
| File the answer with the clerk of the correct court | File with the clerk of the court named in the summons under Civil Rule 5(e). Many counties require electronic filing under General Rule 30, so check the local rule before filing in person or by mail. There is no fee to file an answer alone in Washington. A $200 fee plus county surcharges of roughly $240 to $310 applies only if your answer adds a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim. | - | On or before the answer deadline |
| Serve the plaintiff and keep proof of service | Serve a copy of the answer on the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney by delivery or mail under Civil Rule 5(b), and keep proof of service. Civil Rule 12(a)(1) requires the answer to be served within the deadline, so serving on time matters as much as filing on time. An answer that is filed but not served can be challenged. | - | With or promptly after filing |
| Request a fee waiver if your answer carries a fee you cannot afford | If your answer adds a counterclaim that triggers a fee and your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, or you receive needs-based public assistance, file WPF GR 34.0100 with the WPF GR 34.0300 financial statement to ask the court to waive civil fees and surcharges. Submitting the request lets you file on time without paying the roughly $240 to $310 fee while the court decides eligibility. | - | At the time of filing |
| Appear at the hearing, trial date, or small claims date | Calendar every date the court sets, including the small claims appearance date in the notice, where you must appear in person and file no written answer, and any trial or case-scheduling date in a civil case. Bring your evidence and a copy of your filed answer. Attorney review is available as an option before you file if your case involves a short eviction return date, a debt-collection statute-of-limitations question, or a disputed service-of-process issue. | - | As set by the court |
Frequently Asked Questions
An answer responds to each numbered paragraph of the complaint by admitting it, denying it, or stating you lack enough information to admit or deny, and then lists your affirmative defenses. Washington has no statewide mandatory answer form for general civil cases, so you type the answer in standard pleading format with the caption required by General Rule 14 and Civil Rule 10, showing the court, the parties, and the case number.
Washington small claims does not use a written answer. Under RCW 12.40.060 the notice directs you to appear personally in the District Court small claims department at the time certain it states, which is set not less than five days after service. You do not file a paper response in advance; you show up on that date and present your defense, because failing to appear lets the plaintiff take a default. The small claims limit is $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses and other entities.
Under Civil Rule 55(a)(1), once you miss the answer deadline the plaintiff can move by motion and affidavit for an order of default, and the court can enter a default judgment for what the complaint requests. You can file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment under Civil Rule 60(b) within a reasonable time, and for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect no more than one year after the judgment. Act quickly, because the one-year outer limit is strict.
Sometimes. Parties often agree in writing to extend the response deadline, and you can ask the court for more time. Filing a motion directed at the complaint, such as a Civil Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss, can also change the response timeline. Get any extension in writing, because the default clock keeps running until the plaintiff agrees, the court grants more time, or you serve a response.
Filing an answer alone costs nothing in Washington. A fee applies only if your answer adds a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, and you can ask the court to waive it. The request is WPF GR 34.0100 with the WPF GR 34.0300 financial statement, and eligibility is based on income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level or receipt of needs-based public assistance. A granted waiver lets you file without paying the roughly $240 to $310 counterclaim fee.
Yes. Insufficient service of process is a defense you can raise under Civil Rule 12(b). A defendant can move to dismiss or assert the defense in the answer to challenge whether the court has personal jurisdiction because service did not follow the rules. If service was defective, the time to answer may not have started to run. Raise a service problem promptly rather than ignoring the case, because ignoring it still risks a default.
Respond the same way as any civil complaint: serve a timely answer that admits or denies each allegation and raises your defenses. In debt cases, check the six-year statute of limitations for written contracts under RCW 4.16.040 and whether the collector validated the debt under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692g. Do not ignore the summons, because silence leads to a default judgment for the full amount claimed.
A respondent served with a dissolution petition and summons has 20 days to file a response and serve a copy on the petitioner, the same Civil Rule 12(a)(1) deadline that applies in general civil cases, or 60 days if served outside Washington. You file your response with the Superior Court using the Washington Courts family law forms. Missing the window can let the case proceed by default and let the court decide property, support, and parenting issues without your input.
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