How To File Court Documents To Fight to a Debt Lawsuit

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0:00 Intro
0:16 What is Upsolve?
0:34 Where to file your answer form
0:48 Deadline to file your answer form
1:17 Why you need to make 3 copies of the answer form
1:44 Two options to file court forms
2:30 Can I e-file my answer forms?
2:45 How to find out if your court charges a filing fee and how to get a fee waiver form
3:35 What it means to serve a court form on the plaintiff and why you need to do it
4:25 How to get free or low-cost legal help if you need it

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📹    • Understanding Debt Lawsuit Defenses  

📝 Key Takeaways 📝

📄 Answer Form = The official court form you fill out and file to respond to a debt collection lawsuit against you. You can usually get a blank copy of this form from the court's website or by going to the courthouse in person.

➡️ Responding to a lawsuit is as easy as filling out an answer form and returning it to the court by the deadline listed in the summons. Forgot what a summons is? Check out:    • How To Read and Understand the Court ...  

⏳ Your deadline to respond will probably be listed as a number of days. (Usually somewhere between 10-30 depending on your state.) The clock starts ticking on the day you receive the summons!

🖨️ Make sure you have three copies of your answer form: 1) The original goes to the court. 2) You keep a copy for your records. 3) You deliver ("serve") a copy to the person suing you (aka the plaintiff).

Options to file your answer form vary by court, but usually include:
✉️ Mailing your answer form to the court. Use certified mail if possible to ensure delivery.
🏛️🚶‍♂️Go in person to the courthouse and give it to the court clerk.

💻 Some courts allow you to e-file your form, but this isn't commonplace. Double-check with your court to learn all your options.

💰 Some courts charge a filing fee to file your answer form. Google your court's name + the phrase "filing fee" to see if your court has a fee. It might also say on the summons form. If you can't afford the filing fee, apply for a filing fee waiver. You can usually find a fee waiver form on the court's website.

📜 Don't forget to serve a common of the answer form on the plaintiff. Serving the form = deliver it according to the court's rules. You can usually mail the form to the plaintiff at the address listed on the summons or complaint.

❓☎️ If you have questions about finding the answer form or the court's rules for filing and serving, call the court clerk. They are there to assist you with navigating court processes and requirements.