# You were served with a lawsuit: what to do first > Don’t ignore it. Read the summons for the court, case number and deadline, often about 20 to 30 days. Confirm the case on the court’s website or with the clerk, then file a written answer before the deadline; many courts offer free forms and self-help. If you don’t respond, you can lose automatically. Settling is allowed; get it in writing. - URL: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=served-with-a-lawsuit ## Step by step 1. **You were served with a lawsuit?** Don’t ignore it. Lawsuits have strict deadlines, but you have more options than you think. 2. **Read the summons and the complaint.** The summons shows the court, the case number and your deadline. The complaint says what they claim and what they want. 3. **Find your deadline.** Often about 20 to 30 days, depending on your state and court. Count from the day you were served, and don’t wait until the last day. 4. **Check that it’s real.** Look up the case number on the court’s website, or call the court clerk using a number you find yourself, not one from the papers. 5. **File an answer.** It’s your written response to each claim. Many courts have free forms and self-help centers to walk you through it. 6. **If you don’t respond, you can lose automatically.** It’s called a default judgment. It can lead to your pay being garnished or your bank account being frozen. 7. **Talking it out is allowed.** Many cases settle, especially debt cases. Get any deal in writing, and make sure the case is closed afterward. 8. **When to get a lawyer?** For big amounts, your home or job at risk, or anything you don’t understand. Legal aid helps people with lower incomes for free. 9. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Don’t ignore the papers - Find your deadline - Confirm the case with the court - File an answer on time - Consider settling, in writing - Get legal help if needed ## Read the papers The **summons** tells you the court, the case number and how long you have to respond. The **complaint** explains what the other side claims and wants. ## Find your deadline Often about 20 to 30 days from the day you were served, depending on the state and court. Don’t wait until the last day. ## Make sure it’s real Look up the case on the court’s website or call the clerk with a number you find yourself. ## Respond File a written answer that responds to each claim, and send a copy to the other side as the court requires. Many courts have free forms and self-help centers. ## If you don’t respond The court can enter a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishment or a frozen bank account. ## Settling Many cases, especially debt cases, settle. Get any agreement in writing and make sure the case is dismissed. ## Common questions ### I was sued for a debt. Do I have to pay right away? Not just because you were sued. You can respond, ask them to prove the debt, raise defenses like the wrong amount, or negotiate a settlement. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/i-was-sued-for-a-debt-do-i-have-to-pay-right-away ### What if the deadline already passed? Contact the court right away. You may be able to ask the court to set aside a default, but there are time limits. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/what-if-the-deadline-already-passed ### How many days do I have to respond to a lawsuit? It depends on your state and court, often about 20 to 30 days from when you were served. Federal court is usually 21 days. The summons states your deadline. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/how-many-days-do-i-have-to-respond-to-a-lawsuit ### What is a default judgment? A win for the other side because you didn’t respond in time. It can lead to garnished wages or frozen bank accounts. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/what-is-a-default-judgment ### Can I respond to a lawsuit without a lawyer? Yes. Many people file their own answer using court forms and self-help centers. A lawyer helps for big amounts or complicated cases. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/can-i-respond-to-a-lawsuit-without-a-lawyer ### How do I know if a lawsuit is a scam? Look up the case number on the court’s website or call the clerk using a number you find yourself. Real courts don’t demand payment by gift card or wire. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/how-do-i-know-if-a-lawsuit-is-a-scam ### Can a debt collector sue me for an old debt? They can try, but very old debts may be past your state’s time limit for lawsuits. You usually have to raise that defense yourself in your answer. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/can-a-debt-collector-sue-me-for-an-old-debt ### What happens after I file my answer? The court will schedule the next steps, like a hearing, mediation or a trial date. Keep your address current with the court and watch for mail. Source page: https://explained.page/served-with-a-lawsuit/questions/what-happens-after-i-file-my-answer ## Official sources - [National Center for State Courts](https://www.ncsc.org/) - [Legal Services Corporation: free legal aid](https://www.lsc.gov/) - [CFPB: sued over a debt](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your county] court case search" - "[your county] court self-help center answer form" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.