how do I go about replying to a summons in small claims cour

Submitted by mson54 on Sun, 03/02/2008 - 22:08
Forums

Washington state, served summons for debt from last year; if I have 20 days to reply, how do I do that?

I'm pretty sure you have to respond or they will win by default..there are other posts on this subject that may help you. Someone here should give you a detailed report on how to do it, if not type it in the search box and read the threads.

Sat, 03/08/2008 - 14:07 Permalink

You have a set time frame in your state to respond, Here in Pennsylvania, that time frame is 20 days. I am not sure what it is for Washington state. Call the courthouse that the summons was issued in and talk to the clerk of courts, they will tell you all the timeframes around this issue.

You will want to respond to each allegation as admit or deny, you can copy what they have and put your answers on it and then file it with the court and mail a copy by certified mail to the company that is suing you or the attorney office that is representing them.

Sun, 03/09/2008 - 14:24 Permalink

I knew someone around here would be able to give some sound advice. I would get the call into the courthouse and do what you have to right away. @0 days isn't much time to work with. Best to get it done as soon as possible.

Tue, 03/11/2008 - 01:22 Permalink
emanace78 (not verified)

U need to reply within 20 days from when the summons was serve(the day it was given to u by someone that works for the plaintiff). Go to court file an answer (sometimes u might be able to get help from local nonprofit legal assistance enteties in your city). If u cant get free help jusy answer and ask the plaintiff to validate your debt. Go to court ASAP .

Fri, 03/14/2008 - 04:17 Permalink

Its good to know that there is free help out there for someone dealing with a situation like this. I think alot of people get bulldogged because they are already in finacial distress and can't afford an atty so they don't look to see if they have rights and sign off on the quickest way out.

Fri, 03/14/2008 - 23:26 Permalink

Hopefully you will come back and give us an update soon, mine all started about 2 years ago and I answered and we still have not went to court, this december was over a year ago already, crazy.

Sun, 03/23/2008 - 00:58 Permalink

Wow can they do that? I mean its like leaving you to ponder your fate. After so long shouldn't they be made to act or leave you be/ If a summons stays the SOL a person would be left with the threat of a lawsuit hanging over their heads for eternity if the CA wanted them too. I find it hard to believe they wouldn't attach a timeline after serving someone with a summons. Hopefully they will not render their ugly heads again. Did they ever offer you a debt settlement goodnatured?

Mon, 03/24/2008 - 02:09 Permalink

I had a conversation with the attorney who is going to chair the committee, there will be three attornies, He said it should happen sometime in January, well here we are in march and knock on wood, nothing yet. I don't know if there is a time frame or not. I think as soon as the attornies can set it up, it will happen, they may just have really busy schedules.

Tue, 03/25/2008 - 01:46 Permalink

Hopefully you can just get it out of the way. It sucks to pay but it sucks to have it linger in the back of one's mind too, especially if it stayed the SOL.

Wed, 03/26/2008 - 00:11 Permalink