How to Respond to a Lawsuit in Wyoming: Answer a Summons (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team. Wyoming. Last updated 2026-06-02
In Wyoming, a defendant served with a civil summons and complaint has 20 calendar days to file a written answer under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), or 30 days if service is made outside the state or by publication. The other tracks work differently. Small claims requires no written answer at all. Under Wyoming Small Claims Rule 5 and Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-205, no responsive pleading is filed, and the defendant instead appears on the date set in the summons, which Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204 fixes at not more than 20 nor less than 12 days from service. An unlawful detainer (eviction) also requires no written answer to participate. Under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004 the defendant appears at the trial the judge sets, which is not less than 3 nor more than 12 days after service. A divorce or dissolution response runs on the same general civil clock, 20 days under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), because Wyoming has no separate family answer rule. Time is counted under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 6(a), which excludes the day of service and counts every intervening calendar day. If you miss your deadline in a case that requires an answer, the clerk can enter your default under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 55(a) and the court can enter a default judgment, which you can later move to set aside within a reasonable time and no more than one year after the judgment under Rule 60(b).
How long do I have to respond to a lawsuit in Wyoming?
It depends on the case type. A general civil complaint gives you 20 calendar days after the summons is served to file a written answer under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), or 30 days if you were served outside Wyoming or by publication. Small claims and eviction require no written answer; you appear on the date the court sets instead.
How do I respond to a civil summons in Wyoming?
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 by mail, hand delivery, or electronic means under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 5(b). The answer admits or denies each numbered allegation in the complaint and states your defenses.
What happens if I don't answer a summons in Wyoming?
If you do not respond by your deadline, the plaintiff can ask the clerk to enter your default. Under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 55(a), when a defendant fails to plead or otherwise defend, the clerk must enter the default, which opens the door to a default judgment for what the complaint requests. You can later move to set it aside under Rule 60(b).
How do I answer a summons without an attorney in Wyoming?
Self-represented defendants can file an answer themselves. Wyoming has no statewide general-denial form for civil cases, so you type your answer with a standard caption that meets Wyo. R. Civ. P. 10(a), naming the court, parties, and case number. File it with the clerk and serve the plaintiff. Wyoming sets no statewide answer filing fee.
Wyoming response framework at a glance
Wyoming's response rules turn first on which track your case is in. A general civil complaint is governed by Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), which directs the defendant to serve a written answer within 20 days after being served with the summons and complaint, or within 30 days if service is made outside the State of Wyoming or after the last day of publication. Small claims is different. Under Wyoming Small Claims Rule 5, no answer or responsive pleading is required, and Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-205 confirms that no formal pleading other than the claim and notice is necessary. The small claims defendant does not file a paper answer and instead appears on the date set in the summons, which Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204 fixes at not more than 20 nor less than 12 days from the date of service. Eviction works the same way. In a forcible entry and detainer action under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004, the defendant is not required to file a written answer as a condition of participating fully, and instead appears at the trial the judge sets, which is not less than 3 nor more than 12 days after service. A divorce or dissolution response runs on the general civil clock, 20 days under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), because Wyoming has no separate family answer rule. Time is computed under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 6(a), which excludes the day of service and counts every intervening calendar day, extending only when the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Answers are filed with the clerk of the court named in the summons, served on the plaintiff under Rule 5(b), and formatted with a standard caption under Rule 10(a). The Wyoming Judicial Branch website at www.wyocourts.gov is the official source for the court directory, the statewide forms, and the fee-waiver packet a self-represented defendant needs.
Court Resources
Wyoming Judicial Branch. Court information and where to file
The judiciary's court-information page explaining the Circuit Court and District Court structure, the small-claims dollar limit, and where a defendant files an answer to a summons and complaint in Wyoming.
Wyoming Judicial Branch. Forms by topic
The official statewide forms library, including the family-law Answer to Complaint for Divorce and the optional unlawful-detainer answer form, for a self-represented defendant who has no general civil answer form.
Wyoming fee-waiver packet (Affidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver of Filing Fees)
The miscellaneous-forms packet a defendant who cannot afford court costs uses to ask the court to waive filing fees, based on income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or receipt of public benefits.
Relevant Laws
Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a)(1)(A) (20-Day Answer to a Civil Complaint)
Requires a defendant to serve an answer within 20 days after being served with the summons and complaint, or within 30 days if service is made outside Wyoming or after the last day of publication. This is the standard general civil answer deadline, and it also governs a divorce or dissolution response.
Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a) (Computing the Response Period)
Provides that in computing any period, the day of the act or event from which the time runs is excluded and the last day is included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Wyoming's rule has no short-period exclusion of intervening weekends, so the 20-day and 30-day answer periods count every intervening calendar day.
Wyoming Small Claims Rule 5 and Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204 (No Written Answer in Small Claims)
Small Claims Rule 5 provides that no answer nor responsive pleading shall be required in small claims actions, and Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-205 confirms no formal pleading other than the claim and notice is necessary. Instead, Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204 sets the defendant's appearance date in the summons at not more than 20 nor less than 12 days from service. No written answer is filed.
Wyoming Statutes § 1-21-1004 (Eviction Trial, No Written Answer Required)
Provides that in a forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action, service must be not less than 3 nor more than 12 days before the day of trial set by the judge, and the defendant is not required to file a written answer to the complaint as a condition of being allowed to participate fully in the trial. The defendant appears at the trial instead.
Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure 55 and 60 (Default and Setting It Aside)
Rule 55(a) directs the clerk to enter the default of a party who has failed to plead or otherwise defend, opening the door to a default judgment. Rule 60(b)(1) lets the court relieve a party from a default or judgment taken through mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, on a motion made within a reasonable time and no more than one year after the judgment.
Wyoming Statutes § 1-3-105(a)(i) (Ten-Year Limitations Period for Written Contracts)
Sets the statute of limitations for an action on a written contract at ten years, a common threshold defense in debt-collection lawsuits where the underlying account or agreement is in writing.
Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 13(a) (Compulsory Counterclaim)
Requires a defendant to state as a counterclaim any claim that arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim, or lose the right to assert it later. Unrelated claims may be brought as permissive counterclaims.
Regional Variances
Answer deadline by case track in Wyoming
General civil complaint (Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A))
20 calendar days after the summons and complaint are served to file a written answer, or 30 days if you were served outside Wyoming or by publication. This is the default civil deadline and the one most defendants are working against.
Small claims (Wyo. Small Claims R. 5; Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204)
No written answer is required. The defendant files no responsive pleading and instead appears on the date set in the summons, which is not more than 20 nor less than 12 days from the date of service. Treating this as a paper-answer window can cause you to miss the appearance and suffer a default.
Unlawful detainer / eviction (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004)
No written answer is required to participate fully. The defendant appears at the trial the judge sets, which is not less than 3 nor more than 12 days after service. This is the fastest track, so an eviction defendant must be ready to appear within days.
Divorce / dissolution response (Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A))
20 days after service to file an answer and serve a copy on the plaintiff, the same window as a general civil case, because Wyoming has no separate family answer rule. Missing it can let the divorce proceed by default.
Which Wyoming court hears your case, by amount
Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)
Hears claims up to the small-claims dollar cap of $6,000. No written answer is filed, and the defendant appears on the date set in the summons, 12 to 20 days from service.
Circuit Court (civil)
Handles civil cases up to $50,000. A written answer is due within 20 days, the same general civil answer period, filed with the clerk of the court named in the summons.
District Court (general jurisdiction)
Handles civil cases over $50,000 by exclusive jurisdiction. A written answer is due within 20 days under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), and Wyoming sets no statewide answer filing fee, though other court costs can apply.
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 under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), or 30 days if you were served outside Wyoming or by publication. Small claims requires no written answer; you appear on the date set in the summons, 12 to 20 days from service, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204. Eviction requires no written answer; you appear at the trial the judge sets, 3 to 12 days after service, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004. Time is counted under Rule 6(a), which excludes the day of service. 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, general civil, unlawful detainer, or family, and which court it names. Small Claims Court (a division of Circuit Court) hears claims up to $6,000, Circuit Court hears civil cases up to $50,000, and District Court hears cases over $50,000. The track decides whether you file a written answer or simply appear, and where.
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, accord and satisfaction, payment, release, estoppel, statute of frauds, or fraud. In debt cases, check the ten-year written-contract limitations period under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i). If you have a claim against the plaintiff arising from the same transaction, you must state it as a compulsory counterclaim under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 13(a) or lose it.
Draft the answer in the correct caption and format
Before the answer deadline days after startingRespond to each numbered allegation by admitting it, denying it, or stating you lack information to admit or deny, then state your affirmative defenses. Wyoming has no statewide general-denial form for civil cases, so type the answer with a standard caption under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 10(a), naming the court, parties, and case number. A divorce respondent can use the Answer to Complaint for Divorce form (CN DNCD 05).
File the answer with the clerk of the correct court
On or before the answer deadline days after startingFile with the clerk of the Circuit Court or District Court named in the summons, by mail, in person, or by e-filing where available, under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 5(d). Wyoming sets no statewide answer filing fee, though other court costs can apply, so confirm any local cost with the clerk before you file.
Serve the plaintiff and file proof of service
With or promptly after filing days after startingServe a copy of the filed answer on the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney by mail, hand delivery, or electronic means under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 5(b), then file proof of service with the court. An answer that is filed but not served on the plaintiff can be challenged.
Request a fee waiver if you cannot afford court costs
At the time of filing days after startingIf your income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you receive public benefits, file an Affidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver of Filing Fees with your answer to ask the court to waive court costs. Submitting the request lets you file on time while the court decides eligibility.
Appear at the trial or hearing the court sets
As set by the court days after startingCalendar every date the court sets, including the small claims appearance date in the summons (where no written answer is filed) and the eviction trial the judge sets 3 to 12 days after service. Bring your evidence and a copy of any filed answer. Attorney review is available as an option before you appear or file if your case involves a short eviction deadline, 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 under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), or 30 days if you were served outside Wyoming or by publication. Small claims requires no written answer; you appear on the date set in the summons, 12 to 20 days from service, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-204. Eviction requires no written answer; you appear at the trial the judge sets, 3 to 12 days after service, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004. Time is counted under Rule 6(a), which excludes the day of service. 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, general civil, unlawful detainer, or family, and which court it names. Small Claims Court (a division of Circuit Court) hears claims up to $6,000, Circuit Court hears civil cases up to $50,000, and District Court hears cases over $50,000. The track decides whether you file a written answer or simply appear, and where. | - | 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, accord and satisfaction, payment, release, estoppel, statute of frauds, or fraud. In debt cases, check the ten-year written-contract limitations period under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i). If you have a claim against the plaintiff arising from the same transaction, you must state it as a compulsory counterclaim under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 13(a) or lose it. | - | Before drafting the answer |
| Draft the answer in the correct caption and format | Respond to each numbered allegation by admitting it, denying it, or stating you lack information to admit or deny, then state your affirmative defenses. Wyoming has no statewide general-denial form for civil cases, so type the answer with a standard caption under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 10(a), naming the court, parties, and case number. A divorce respondent can use the Answer to Complaint for Divorce form (CN DNCD 05). | answer-to-complaint | Before the answer deadline |
| File the answer with the clerk of the correct court | File with the clerk of the Circuit Court or District Court named in the summons, by mail, in person, or by e-filing where available, under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 5(d). Wyoming sets no statewide answer filing fee, though other court costs can apply, so confirm any local cost with the clerk before you file. | - | On or before the answer deadline |
| Serve the plaintiff and file proof of service | Serve a copy of the filed answer on the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney by mail, hand delivery, or electronic means under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 5(b), then file proof of service with the court. An answer that is filed but not served on the plaintiff can be challenged. | - | With or promptly after filing |
| Request a fee waiver if you cannot afford court costs | If your income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you receive public benefits, file an Affidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver of Filing Fees with your answer to ask the court to waive court costs. Submitting the request lets you file on time while the court decides eligibility. | - | At the time of filing |
| Appear at the trial or hearing the court sets | Calendar every date the court sets, including the small claims appearance date in the summons (where no written answer is filed) and the eviction trial the judge sets 3 to 12 days after service. Bring your evidence and a copy of any filed answer. Attorney review is available as an option before you appear or file if your case involves a short eviction deadline, a debt-collection statute-of-limitations question, or a disputed service-of-process issue. | - | As set by the court |
Frequently Asked Questions
Often yes, if you act quickly. You file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 60(b). The court can relieve you from a default or default judgment taken through mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect under Rule 60(b)(1). The motion must be made within a reasonable time, and in no case more than one year after the judgment was entered, so do not wait.
Sometimes. Parties often agree in writing to extend the answer deadline, and you can ask the court for more time. Filing certain motions that challenge the complaint can also change the timeline. Get any extension in writing, because the 20-day clock keeps running until the plaintiff agrees, the court grants more time, or you file your answer.
Wyoming sets no statewide answer filing fee, but if you face court costs you cannot afford, you can ask the court to waive them. You file an Affidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver of Filing Fees, and eligibility is based on income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or receipt of public benefits. The waiver lets you proceed without paying while the court decides.
Yes. Improper service of process is a recognized defense. A defendant can raise insufficient service of process under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12 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. File a timely answer that admits or denies each allegation and raises your defenses. In debt cases, check the ten-year statute of limitations for written contracts under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i) 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.
Common affirmative defenses include the statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction, payment, release, estoppel, statute of frauds, and fraud. To assert your own claim against the plaintiff, you file a counterclaim. Under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 13(a), a counterclaim arising out of the same transaction or occurrence as the plaintiff's claim is compulsory and must be stated in your answer or it is waived.
A respondent served with a divorce complaint has 20 days to file an answer and serve a copy on the plaintiff under Wyo. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A), the same window as a general civil case. Wyoming publishes an Answer to Complaint for Divorce form (CN DNCD 05) for self-represented parties. Missing the 20-day window can let the case proceed by default and let the court decide property, support, and custody without your input.
Eviction runs on a very short clock. In a forcible entry and detainer action under Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1004, you are not required to file a written answer to participate fully, and the judge sets a trial not less than 3 nor more than 12 days after service. The most important step is to appear on that trial date. Missing it can let the court decide possession against you by default.
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