how to answer a summons without an attorney in oneida county ny supreme court

by Dr. Alexie Rohan DDS 7 min read

You can either answer the summons in writing or in person. If you answer in person, you must go to the courthouse clerk’s office and tell the clerk about your defenses to the plaintiff’s claims. The clerk will check off the boxes in a Consumer Credit Transaction Answer In Person form.

Full Answer

Can I answer a summons without an attorney?

While it's possible to answer a summons without an attorney, hiring an attorney to represent you is almost always a better choice. If you can't afford an attorney, contact your state's bar association to find out what free and reduced-cost legal assistance options are available in your area.

How to respond to a summons and complaint?

How to Respond to a Summons and Complaint Note: All persons involved in a lawsuit should consult an attorney. This office gives you information, forms and instructions on court procedures. As an office of this court, we cannot give legal advice or act as your advocate.

Where can I get help with a summons in New York?

SUPREME COURT, CIVIL BRANCH 60 Centre Street, New York, N.Y. 10007 HELP CENTER Room 116 646-386-3025 How to Respond to a Summons and Complaint SUPREME COURT, CIVIL BRANCH New York County 60 Centre Street, New York, N.Y. 10007

What if I don't remember the date I received a summons?

Tip: If you don't remember the exact date you received the summons and complaint, call the court clerk's office at the number listed on the summons. Give them the case number and ask what date the summons and complaint were served.

How do you answer a summons in New York State?

You can either answer the summons in writing or in person. If you answer in person, you must go to the courthouse clerk's office and tell the clerk about your defenses to the plaintiff's claims. The clerk will check off the boxes in a Consumer Credit Transaction Answer In Person form.

How do you respond to a summons and complaint in New York?

Answering a Case. If you got a summons and complaint, you only have a short time to deliver a written Answer form to the plaintiff and the Court. Your Answer is what you tell the court about what the plaintiff said in the complaint. The Answer tells the court your defenses or reasons the plaintiff must not win the case ...

How do you write a response to the court?

Write your answer Only tell the court that you agree, disagree or you do not know if the statement is true. Lawyers usually write "the Defendant admits...," if you agree with the statement. They write "Defendant denies...," if you disagree with the statement.

How do I respond to a summons for debt in NY?

Here's a recap of the process:Create an Answer document.Make a general denial or respond to each issue in the Complaint.Assert all your defenses.Assert any counterclaims.File your Answer with the court (keep a copy for yourself)Serve a copy of the Answer on the plaintiff.

How do you respond to an allegation in a complaint?

Be brief. Answer the allegations in the complaint with one or two sentences. Again remember that the statements you make in your answer can be used as admissions against you. Your response to the allegations in the complaint may admit part of the statement in the specific paragraph and deny part.

How do you write an affirmative defense in an answer?

An affirmative defense says, essentially, “even if what you're saying is true, I'm not liable for reason XYZ.” Examples of affirmative defenses include bankruptcy, statute of limitations and self-defense.

How do you draft an answer?

1:148:03Drafting an Answer to a Civil Complaint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber two is to research the legal claims asserted by the adversaries complaint before drafting anMoreNumber two is to research the legal claims asserted by the adversaries complaint before drafting an answer one must be sure to research the adversaries legal claims. Doing.

Does a summons have to be served in person?

When a summons is served on the defendant, it must either be served personally, or on a person who is older than 16 at the premises where the defendant is employed or resides. There are exceptions to this rule but for the purposes of a medical malpractice claim, this rule applies.

What happens after receiving summons?

The court rules provide you with 10 business days from the day you received the summons to notify the Plaintiff or their attorney that you intend to defend yourself. At this stage, you should contact an attorney to seek legal assistance and advice regarding the claim against you.

How long does a defendant have to answer a complaint in New York?

The written response must be made within 20 days of personal service, or within 30 days of the time when service by any other means is complete. If the defendant fails to respond he or she is in default and plaintiff may be able to obtain a default judgment against the defendant.

Can summons be Cancelled?

Yes, the summons can be cancelled or quashed as appropriately required by law dependent on the facts of settlement and the terms and conditions determined therein between the parties. The legal procedure has to be followed for the same.

What debt collectors Cannot do?

A debt collector can't do the following:suggest to your friends, employer, relatives or neighbours that they should pay your debts, unless one of these individuals has co-signed your loan.use threatening, intimidating or abusive language.apply excessive or unreasonable pressure on you to repay the debt.More items...•

How long does it take to respond to a lawsuit?

The written response must be made within 20 days of personal service, or within 30 days of the time when service by any other means is complete .

What is an answer in a complaint?

The Answer An answer, like a complaint, states a party's position regarding the case. (See attached example of an answer). First, the answer contains the caption of the case. The body of the answer consists of a series of numbered paragraphs.

What is a motion to dismiss?

The Motion to Dismiss A motion is a request to the court that is made within an existing lawsuit and that seeks to have the court take some action concerning that lawsuit. As of July 14, 2003, a filing fee of $45 is required to be paid when submitting a motion to the court.

What is a counterclaim in a complaint?

An answer to the complaint may also contain a counterclaim. A counterclaim seeks relief (for example, money damages) against the plaintiff. Counterclaims should be set forth in a separate section, following the portion of the answer described above. Counterclaims resemble the format of a complaint.

How to obtain a default judgment?

The first is by applying to the Judgment Clerk in the County Clerk's Office. This may only be done when the plaintiff's summons and complaint or summons with notice seek money damages only , and no other form of relief.

Who must serve a copy of the answer?

A copy of the answer must be served upon the plaintiff's attorney or upon a pro se plaintiff, and upon all other parties. Unlike service of papers initiating a lawsuit, an answer may be served by mail by someone (not you) over the age of eighteen, who is not a party to the case. See CPLR 2103(a).

Can a defendant assert a claim against a fellow defendant?

A defendant may assert claims against a fellow defendant or several defendants. These are known as cross-claims and also follow the initial responses contained in the answer. Generally, if the complaint has been sworn to (verified), then the answer must be verified as well. See CPI-R 3020.

How long does it take to respond to a summons in California?

Once someone files a lawsuit against you and delivers a copy of the required court papers to you, you have only a limited number of days to file an answer.

What is the Supreme Court's standard answer form?

The Supreme Court of New York uses standard answer forms, with spaces to fill in basic case information. You fill in your responses to the claims that have been made against you in the complaint. You provide the names of each party, case number, any admissions of the facts, any denial of the facts, your defenses and counterclaims.

How long does it take to file a counterclaim in New York?

Once the other party properly serves you with a summons, complaint and other applicable documents, the time frame to file an answer and optional counterclaim begins to run. If the court papers are hand-delivered or served in person within New York City, the answer must be filed within 20 days. If the papers are served by other means or outside New York City limits, the answer must be filed within 30 days. If you fail to file an answer within this time, the judge can rule against you and in favor of the other party, who originally filed the complaint.

What happens if you fail to answer a complaint?

If you fail to answer a claim raised in the complaint, the court can consider it to be an admission of those facts. If you plan to counter-sue the other party, you must include those counterclaims in your answer.

Can you file a case electronically in New York?

You Can File Electronically or in Person. The New York State Unified Court System requires you to use the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System, abbreviated as NYSCEF, to file your case documents. However, you may opt-out of e-filing if you represent yourself in court. Once you complete your answer, you file it with the court clerk, ...

Can you get a summons without a complaint?

Answer a Summons Without Complaint With Notice. In some cases, the other party serves you with a summons and notice to appear in court instead of a summons and formal complaint. The summons and notice provide you, as the defendant, with minimal information about the lawsuit.

What is the answer to a summons and complaint?

Your Answer is what you tell the court about what the plaintiff said in the complaint. The Answer tells the court your defenses or reasons the plaintiff must not win the case . Some courts let you tell your Answer ...

How long does it take to answer a summons?

Answering a Summons and Complaint. The time to answer the summons and complaint is either 20 or 30 days, depending on how you got the papers: 30 days - if the summons was given to you in any other way. The time period includes weekends and holidays.

How long does it take to get a summons with notice?

When you do this, the plaintiff has 20 days to send you a Complaint. Check with your court for a form.

How to serve a copy of a court answer?

To serve the plaintiff with a copy of your answer have someone 18 or older (not you and not involved in the case) mail a copy to the plaintiff. If the plaintiff has a lawyer, a copy of your Answer is mailed to the lawyer. The person who does this for you must fill out an Affidavit of Service by mail form. Then, make sure you file this proof of ...

What happens if you don't put a defense in your answer?

If you do not put a defense in your answer you may not be allowed to talk about it later in the case. You may also make a counterclaim in your Answer. Ask the Court Clerk if the court has an Answer form for you to use or you can make your own.

What does it mean when a complaint has a verification?

If the complaint has a Verification at the end of it, this means that the plaintiff swore that the complaint is true. If there is a verification you should make a verified Answer. You do this by signing the Answer in front of a notary public.