How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit?

If a debt collector sues you, you must file a written Answer with the court before the deadline — typically 20 to 30 days depending on your state — or the collector wins a default judgment automatically. Read the summons carefully, respond in writing, and strongly consider consulting an attorney or legal aid service.

Being sued for a debt is stressful, but ignoring the lawsuit is almost always the worst option. If you don't respond by the deadline, the court enters a default judgment against you automatically — which gives the collector legal authority to garnish wages, levy bank accounts, or place liens on property, depending on your state. The CFPB's guide to debt collection lawsuits and your state court's self-help resources are the first places to look.

Step 1: Read the summons immediately

Find the response deadline — usually stated on the face of the summons. It is typically 20 to 30 days from when you were served, but it varies by state.
Note the court name and case number — you'll need both to file your response.
Identify the plaintiff (who is suing you) and the alleged debt amount.
Do not ignore it. Even if you believe you don't owe the money, you must respond to the court — not just to the collector.

Step 2: File a written Answer

Your Answer is a formal court document responding to each allegation in the complaint, paragraph by paragraph. For each claim, you can 'admit,' 'deny,' or state that you 'lack sufficient information to admit or deny.' You can also raise affirmative defenses — legal arguments that may defeat or reduce the claim even if you technically owe some amount. Many state court websites have free Answer forms for self-represented litigants. The U.S. Courts website explains how civil cases work generally; for state courts, check your state court's self-help center.

Key defenses worth raising if applicable

Statute of limitations expired — if the debt is time-barred under your state's law, the collector cannot legally win a judgment. Raise this as an affirmative defense. See what-is-the-statute-of-limitations-on-debt.
Wrong person or wrong amount — if the debt isn't yours or the amount is incorrect, deny the allegation and demand proof.
Lack of standing — debt buyers must prove they actually own the debt and have documentation of the chain of title from the original creditor.
FDCPA violations — if the collector violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act during collection, you may have counterclaims.

Step 3: Consider your options after filing

Once you've filed an Answer, the case doesn't automatically resolve — but it opens the door to settlement negotiations before trial. Many collectors settle for less than the full judgment amount once a defendant responds, because litigation is expensive. A nonprofit legal aid organization or an attorney who handles consumer law can advise on whether to settle, raise defenses, or contest the claim. Many states have free or low-cost legal aid services; find them at lawhelp.org.

What regulators say about collection lawsuits

If a consumer does not respond to a debt collection lawsuit, the court typically enters a default judgment — giving the collector legal authority to pursue wage garnishment or bank levies, depending on state law. — CFPB — Debt Collection
The CFPB notes that suing or threatening to sue on a time-barred debt can be an FDCPA violation — if a collector files suit on a debt past the statute of limitations, raise the expired limitations period as an affirmative defense. — CFPB — Time-Barred Debt
Debt buyers who sue consumers must demonstrate they legally own the debt — the FTC has brought cases against collectors who sued without adequate documentation of ownership. — FTC — Debt Collection

Key takeaways

A lawsuit summons has a hard response deadline — typically 20 to 30 days. Missing it means an automatic default judgment.
File a written Answer with the court denying or admitting each allegation; don't just call or write to the collector.
Raise affirmative defenses — especially an expired statute of limitations — if applicable; these can defeat the claim outright.
Demand proof of debt ownership: collectors who purchased debt must document the chain of title from the original creditor.
Nonprofit legal aid and consumer law attorneys can often provide low-cost help — consult one before the response deadline if possible.